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Sri Lanka
Statement:2009
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Date
Incidents
January - 1 
Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News on January 1 that the fall of Kilinochchi is imminent within the next 48 hours as Security Forces have already entered Kilinochchi town from the South, West and North of Kilinochchi. According to him: “The Task Force I troops are operating ju
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Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News on January 1 that the fall of Kilinochchi is imminent within the next 48 hours as Security Forces have already entered Kilinochchi town from the South, West and North of Kilinochchi. According to him: “The Task Force I troops are operating just one kilometre short of Kilinochchi railway station… They have advanced beyond the Iranamadu junction and are fast advancing towards the heart of Kilinochchi. There are signs that the LTTE will flee from Kilinochchi as troops advance towards the heart of Kilinochchi. But troops will have to engage in fierce battles in areas such as Ramanathapuram in the east of Kilinochchi.”
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January - 2 
Acknowledging the loss, the pro-LTTE TamilNet website in a report said that the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) “has entered a virtual ghost town as the whole civilian infrastructure as well as the centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had shifted further northeast.” TamilNet claimed that the LTTE, wh
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Acknowledging the loss, the pro-LTTE TamilNet website in a report said that the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) “has entered a virtual ghost town as the whole civilian infrastructure as well as the centre of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam had shifted further northeast.” TamilNet claimed that the LTTE, who had put up heavy resistance, kept their casualties low in the defensive fighting, according to The Hindu. "It is the first time after a decade the Sri Lankan forces have been able to take control of the town after several months of fierce fighting that has claimed hundreds of combatants on both sides of the war," Tamil Net reported.
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January - 2 
In a special address to the nation on state television hours after the troops captured Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the action as a “major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism.” He reiterated the resolve of his Government to continue the fight till the LTTE was “full
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In a special address to the nation on state television hours after the troops captured Kilinochchi, President Mahinda Rajapaksa described the action as a “major victory in the world’s battle against terrorism.” He reiterated the resolve of his Government to continue the fight till the LTTE was “fully and finally defeated,” and asserted it was “the final message to the LTTE, to lay down their arms and surrender.” Stating that the capture of Kilinochchi should not be viewed as the victory of one community or region over the other, Rajapaksa maintained that it was a dream of all Sri Lankans who are opposed to separatism, racism and terrorism and strived for peace, freedom and democracy. He said his Government would continue the fight against the LTTE until the “final act of this false Eelam struggle is played to its finish” in the small territory of jungle in Mullaithivu it is confined to today. The LTTE took control of Kilinochchi in 1990 when the SLA withdrew its garrisons after the departure of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. The SLA gained control of the town following operations Sathjaya I, II, and III in September 1996. The town was again captured by the LTTE in September 1998, and ever since it has been designated as the LTTE’s “administrative and political headquarters.”
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January - 2 
On January 2, the Sri Lanka Army captured Kilinochchi, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) political and administrative headquarters, reports Sri Lanka Army. The troops are reported to have launched simultaneous attacks from three directions in Paranthan, Iranamadu and Adampan before captu
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On January 2, the Sri Lanka Army captured Kilinochchi, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) political and administrative headquarters, reports Sri Lanka Army. The troops are reported to have launched simultaneous attacks from three directions in Paranthan, Iranamadu and Adampan before capturing the town in the early hours of January 2. Kilinochchi town, which lies about 334 kilometres (255 miles) north of capital Colombo, remained the LTTE’s most strategic logistic base, from which almost all the decisions were made upon by the exclusive command of the outfit’s leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top-rung leadership. The LTTE kangaroo courts, ‘Police’ Headquarters, ‘Eelam’ banks, luxurious LTTE peace secretariat complex, all operated from Kilinochchi, their de-facto capital of ‘Eelam’ lying on the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) main supply route. The Defence Ministry in a statement said troops of 57 Division entered the highly defended stronghold from the southern and south-western boundaries while Task Force 1 troops marched in from the north and the northwest, The Hindu reported. The Army had taken the Jaffna-Kandy A-9 highway on the Omanthai-Paranthan stretch. The military had crossed into Kilinochchi District on August 4 and has since been engaged in clashes with the LTTE.
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January - 2 
Speaking at a special function in Colombo to announce the military success in Kilinochchi, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, over 1500 LTTE militants were killed during the past two months in the north, reported Colombo Page. He said there are small numbers of LTTE cadres in Wanni and the S
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Speaking at a special function in Colombo to announce the military success in Kilinochchi, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka, over 1500 LTTE militants were killed during the past two months in the north, reported Colombo Page. He said there are small numbers of LTTE cadres in Wanni and the Security Forces could neutralise them in the near future. Meanwhile, the defence ministry said, "There is no option available for the LTTE rebels other than to flee towards the jungle patches in Puthukuduiruppu and Vishvamadu in the East of Iranamadu tank as troops aggressively advanced towards the heart of Kilinochchi in all fronts," reports Times of India.
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January - 4 
President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed satisfaction that his ‘Zero Civilian Casualty Policy’ was implemented perfectly by the Armed Forces during the operations to liberate Kilinochchi during his telephonic with The Hindu in the evening of January 4. He also expressed concern over the LTTE not releas
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President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed satisfaction that his ‘Zero Civilian Casualty Policy’ was implemented perfectly by the Armed Forces during the operations to liberate Kilinochchi during his telephonic with The Hindu in the evening of January 4. He also expressed concern over the LTTE not releasing the tens of thousands of Tamil civilians it holds “virtually as prisoners.” He also warned the organisation that it would face a ban if it continued to deny Tamil civilians, their freedom and human rights. It is understood that the ban could come within a week. President Rajapakse said some of the LTTE cadres were surrendering to the Armed Forces. His Government was aware that there was a possibility of some suicide bombers trying to come out as refugees. The Government was doing its best to apprehend and neutralise the LTTE’s suicide bombers, possibly 15 to 20 of them, who are believed to have infiltrated into Colombo and its environs.
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January - 4 
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net claimed that at least 53 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and more than 80 sustained injuries during heavy fighting that erupted on January 4 when the SLA launched an offensive push through 2nd Mile Post on the Paranthan-Mull
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The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net claimed that at least 53 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and more than 80 sustained injuries during heavy fighting that erupted on January 4 when the SLA launched an offensive push through 2nd Mile Post on the Paranthan-Mullaitivu Road on two fronts.
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January - 5 
Security Forces on January 5 reached Elephant Pass with the 58 Division troops capturing the entire southern part of it and further advancing towards the North to capture it the entirely, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said, according to Daily News. The troops captured Thamilamadam, the
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Security Forces on January 5 reached Elephant Pass with the 58 Division troops capturing the entire southern part of it and further advancing towards the North to capture it the entirely, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said, according to Daily News. The troops captured Thamilamadam, the causeway to the south of the Elephant Pass, adds Sri Lanka Army (SLA). “They are in the process of advancing further north to take full control of the Elephant Pass area soon,” a senior military official told Daily News, adding, “With the capture of Elephant Pass South the troops are now in control of the entire Jaffna lagoon. They are in full control of the lagoon front from Pooneryn to Paranthan and Paranthan to Elephant Pass on the A-9 road. They have been left with only the coastal road from Cheminpiyanpattu to Mullaitivu which gets flooded most of the time.” Heavy fighting erupted in the East of Paranthan and Elephant Pass South for the past two days as the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) made their maximum effort to stop the advance of the troops towards Elephant Pass and Murusamudai, East of Paranthan. According to military sources, 10 soldiers were killed and 23 others injured in the fierce battle in Elephant Pass and Murusamudai areas.
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January - 5 
Sri Lankan Navy had expand its coast guard security to the maximum point within the country's territorial waters drawing attention to prevent any possible LTTE infiltration as well as to block the LTTE fleeing from the North, reports Daily News. Navy spokesman Commander D.P.K. Dassanayake said, "Nav
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Sri Lankan Navy had expand its coast guard security to the maximum point within the country's territorial waters drawing attention to prevent any possible LTTE infiltration as well as to block the LTTE fleeing from the North, reports Daily News. Navy spokesman Commander D.P.K. Dassanayake said, "Naval patrols and coast guards have placed barriers on the territorial waters, enhanced security and vigilance to tackle the LTTE and outside infiltration in our territorial waters. Special attention was paid after the Kilinochchi liberation and therefore, the LTTE has the choice of either dying in the jungle or fleeing from the sea route." He asserted that the coastal belts were extended in three lines to strengthen the security in the North and the East. The "closer land line, Middle line and Outer barrier lines were established to strengthen surveillance in the coastal area", he added. Commander Dassanayake stressed that the Navy is fully prepared to face any eventuality. "In a routine procedure, we check arriving civilians from the un-cleared areas to the Government controlled areas", three times, he further added. According to the Sri Lankan mission in Chennai (India), the Tamil Nadu (southern Indian State) Navy and coast guard had intensified monitoring missions in the Southern sea. "There is "talk" among people in Chennai of the LTTE fleeing to Tamil Nadu. The Chennai police, however denied any LTTE infiltration in to Tamil Nadu", sources said. Meanwhile, several media have reported that security agencies on the south-eastern coast of Tamil Nadu and marine agencies in Kerala have intensified their vigil and surveillance following the fall of Kilinochchi, observing that fleeing LTTE cadres might try to take shelter in the area.
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January - 6 
Major General N.A.J.C. Dias, General Officer Commanding of the 57th Division, told reporters, "as per our estimates as many as 4073 LTTE fighters have been killed in the past 14 months, while the LTTE intercepts admit they have lost 3447 cadres with injuries to another 2197 of their fighters", repor
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Major General N.A.J.C. Dias, General Officer Commanding of the 57th Division, told reporters, "as per our estimates as many as 4073 LTTE fighters have been killed in the past 14 months, while the LTTE intercepts admit they have lost 3447 cadres with injuries to another 2197 of their fighters", reports Rediff.com.
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January - 6 
Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Koddani (TMVK), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman, said Prabhakaran cannot win the battle in the North. Speaking in the Parliament, he said the LTTE chief is now running everywhere as they have lost strength to face th
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Member of Parliament and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Koddani (TMVK), Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman, said Prabhakaran cannot win the battle in the North. Speaking in the Parliament, he said the LTTE chief is now running everywhere as they have lost strength to face the heavy attacks of Government forces. He added that the LTTE has less than 1,500 cadres presently. The LTTE leader has tried to recruit 5000 new cadres, but he managed to recruit only 150 members in the past few months, Karuna claimed.
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January - 6 
The Government on January 6 declared in Parliament that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has links with al Qaeda and used their ‘freedom struggle’ to dabble in the narcotics trade, according to South Asian Media Net. Speaking during the extension of the emergency debate, Prime Minister Ra
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The Government on January 6 declared in Parliament that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has links with al Qaeda and used their ‘freedom struggle’ to dabble in the narcotics trade, according to South Asian Media Net. Speaking during the extension of the emergency debate, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s drug ring is being investigated by India. Citing a south Indian magazine report, he said a group of LTTE leaders had visited Kabul to purchase weapons. He said the report further highlighted that the LTTE was involved in smuggling drugs into Sri Lanka through Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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January - 6 
Troops of the 53rd and 55th Divisions operating on the Jaffna front captured the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in Kilali and Muhamalai, some 600 metres ahead of the Security Force’s FDLs on January 6, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, accor
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Troops of the 53rd and 55th Divisions operating on the Jaffna front captured the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) FDLs (Forward Defence Lines) in Kilali and Muhamalai, some 600 metres ahead of the Security Force’s FDLs on January 6, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, according to Daily News. “There was less resistance from the LTTE compared to earlier occasions and they are in the verge of withdrawing from the area as troops captured Tiger defences”, the spokesman added. According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, the troops in the Muhamalai front could advance some 20 kilometres to the south along the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) Road to link up with the 58th Division troops operating in the south of Elephant Pass. The 58th Division was in reportedly consolidating their positions in the south of Elephant Pass as of January 6 after they captured the area a day earlier. Another military official told Daily News, “troops are advancing towards the LTTE’s third line located in Palali area which is a kilometre away from the present position.” LTTE militants operating in Jaffna are reportedly entrapped between two fronts, Muhamalai from the North and Elephant Pass in the south, and have links with the southern part only through the road leading through the Eastern coast of Jaffna peninsula. According to military sources, the LTTE had shifted many of their military assets in Jaffna. “The LTTE artillery threat to the advancing troops have reduced drastically by yesterday’s operation and they are resisting the advancing troops with their mortars”, military officials added.
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January - 6 
US Embassy in a press statement issued on January 6 on the liberation of Kilinochchi said that the US does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by the US since 1997 as a foreign terrorist organization. The statement said, however, the US believes
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US Embassy in a press statement issued on January 6 on the liberation of Kilinochchi said that the US does not advocate that the Government of Sri Lanka negotiate with the LTTE, a group designated by the US since 1997 as a foreign terrorist organization. The statement said, however, the US believes that a broad range of other Tamil voices and opinions must be brought into a political process to reach a political solution that Tamils inside and outside Sri Lanka see as legitimate. This will help assure Tamils that their rights are protected, it said.
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January - 6 
While indicating that Kilinochchi was where the Sri Lanka military has suffered previous historic debacles, the political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, in an interview with the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 5 dismissed the occupation of the town as an insignificant setback i
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While indicating that Kilinochchi was where the Sri Lanka military has suffered previous historic debacles, the political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, in an interview with the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 5 dismissed the occupation of the town as an insignificant setback in the context of a liberation struggle, and said, Tamil people’s support has always been LTTE’s strength, and with the moral backing of the global Tamil community the movement will surmount current and future challenges. He said: "We have taken forward our struggle for more than 30 years, solely relying on the support of our people," and reiterated that the Tigers were spearheading the Tamil struggle, which was based on legitimate political aspirations as defined by the democratic mandate in the elections of 1977.”
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January - 6 
In Colombo, the Police said more than 29,000 people from the northern, eastern and the central provinces — living in the western province for employment and business activities — registered themselves under a programme initiated by the Civil Community Police, reported The Hindu. Police spokesperson
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In Colombo, the Police said more than 29,000 people from the northern, eastern and the central provinces — living in the western province for employment and business activities — registered themselves under a programme initiated by the Civil Community Police, reported The Hindu. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said 100 men from the north and east who failed to establish their identities were detained for questioning. This is the second head count by the Police of people from the north and east living in and around Colombo on the ground that it is necessary to ensure security of the civilian population.
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January - 7 
Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said any kind of a war victory to the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in future is a daydream, reports Colombo Page. According to the Army Chief, nearly 15,000 LTTE militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during the last two and half y
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Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka said any kind of a war victory to the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in future is a daydream, reports Colombo Page. According to the Army Chief, nearly 15,000 LTTE militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during the last two and half years. In the same period nearly 2,000 SF personnel were also killed, Lt. General Sarath Fonseka pointed out. He said that the LTTE had managed to strengthen their cadres as well as the military equipment during the cease-fire from 2002 until its abrogation in 2007. He added the number of LTTE militants increased to 15,000 as a result of the truce. The militants only possessed two artillery guns captured from the Army before the cease-fire, but Machine guns, Dvora-like fast boats and three fixed wing airplanes were added to their strength during the cease-fire, he added, according to Daily Mirror. They established banks, courts, police and customs to generate income, the Army Commander further said.
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January - 7 
The Government said on January 7 that the Cabinet had taken a unanimous decision, in accordance with a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which continued to engage in blatant human rights violations, according to Daily News.
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The Government said on January 7 that the Cabinet had taken a unanimous decision, in accordance with a memorandum submitted by President Mahinda Rajapakse, to proscribe the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which continued to engage in blatant human rights violations, according to Daily News. The Proclamation of the President proscribing the LTTE under Chapter 40 of the Public Security Ordinance gave several reasons for the proscription. They included inter alia committing acts of terrorism and other forms of violence, with the aim of establishing a separate state of Tamil Eelam in the Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka, engaging in armed conflict with the Security Forces and the Police, assassination of persons of high political office, members of the security forces and the Police and civilians, causing death and destruction to lives and property, threatening the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic, failure to eschew violence, lay down arms and, surrender and participate in the democratic process, keeping civilians in the North and East as hostages and using them as human shields, preventing humanitarian relief reaching the population, illegal procurement and smuggling of arms, using child soldiers, and adversely affecting international and regional peace. At a media briefing attended by several Cabinet Ministers, Minister Maithripala Sirisena noted that the Cabinet had taken the decision as repeated requests to the aforesaid organization to eschew terrorism and participate in the democratic process had failed. The Minister said the LTTE continued to recruit children and women against their will, and also kept denying free movement to civilians using them as a human shield, leaving no option for the Government but to go for a ban. He further said that the proscription did not mean that the Government had closed the door for negotiations, but would engage in dialogue if the LTTE comes to the table after laying down weapons. Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said it would provide effective support by laws coming into effect where any organization or individual convicted of helping the banned LTTE could face up to 20 years of imprisonment, adds Daily News. At the same media briefing, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe urged the LTTE to release trapped civilians in Wanni. He also said the Government would continue to provide all possible assistance to civilians who are been forcibly kept by the LTTE. The LTTE was first banned in 1998, after it bombed the Dalada Maligawa. The ban was lifted in September 2002, ahead of the peace talks following the Cease-fire Agreement.
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January - 7 
The Sri Lankan military on January 7 claimed to have captured Murasumoddai town on the way to Mullaitivu amid stiff resistance from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, reports The Hindu. A statement from the Defence Ministry said, “gaining control over the Murasumoddai junction, l
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The Sri Lankan military on January 7 claimed to have captured Murasumoddai town on the way to Mullaitivu amid stiff resistance from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, reports The Hindu. A statement from the Defence Ministry said, “gaining control over the Murasumoddai junction, located along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu main road, 5 km east of Paranthan, would be strategically vital for the troops as it creates new escaping routes for the Tamil civilians under LTTE hold.” The Ministry said that the Murasumoddai junction had direct access routes to Kilinochchi, Vaddakkachchi and Uriyan. Many civilians from Murasumoddai and its surrounding areas had reached the Security Forces “escaping LTTE’s grip,” it added.
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January - 7 
Troops advancing both from the north and south of Elephant Pass have trapped the LTTE militants on the thin strip of land connecting the mainland to Jaffna peninsula inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants, the military said, according to Colombo Page. Troops of the 53 and 55 Divisions amid h
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Troops advancing both from the north and south of Elephant Pass have trapped the LTTE militants on the thin strip of land connecting the mainland to Jaffna peninsula inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants, the military said, according to Colombo Page. Troops of the 53 and 55 Divisions amid heavy LTTE gunfire advanced about two kilometers further south from the LTTE frontline, which was captured on January 6, closer to the strategic Palali town centre, about 5.5 kilometers south of Muhamalai, on January 7, defence reports said. Defence Ministry said troops destroyed several key LTTE command centres, including the Kilaly’s ECHO-9 Base, Muhamalai area command bases GOLF-7, ECHO-3 and DELTA-2 and set ablaze a huge LTTE ammunition dump. A large cache of weapons and LTTE armaments kept hidden and sealed inside concrete-made underground hideouts were also recovered by the troops, the Ministry added. Reports said that the LTTE have used the Palali area and recently captured Pooneryn to position heavy guns to repeatedly attack targets in Jaffna.
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January - 8 
The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 8 reiterated that the Government does not believe in a military solution to address the genuine grievances of the minority communities and is firmly committed to a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reports The Hindu. At a briefing of the d
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The Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama on January 8 reiterated that the Government does not believe in a military solution to address the genuine grievances of the minority communities and is firmly committed to a political solution to the ethnic conflict, reports The Hindu. At a briefing of the diplomatic corps based in Colombo on the decision of the Sri Lankan Government to ban the LTTE, he said acts of terrorism by the LTTE and its orchestrated campaign to collect funds to commit acts of terrorism and its activities relating to the procurement or smuggling of arms, ammunition and explosives, had the potential of adversely affecting international and regional peace and the security and law and order of other sovereign nations. He told the diplomats that India’s decision to proscribe the LTTE and renew the ban periodically also stems from the threat that the outfit poses to the territorial integrity of India.
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January - 9 
A senior defence official said, “the Sri Lankan Navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders from fleeing the country… The naval blockade has been imposed in northern Mullaitivu, the only remaining stronghold of the LTTE after t
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A senior defence official said, “the Sri Lankan Navy has been put on alert to prevent any attempt by Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran or other senior LTTE leaders from fleeing the country… The naval blockade has been imposed in northern Mullaitivu, the only remaining stronghold of the LTTE after the fall of their de facto capital of Kilinochchi and the strategic Elephant Pass," reports PTI.
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January - 9 
Colombo Page reports that following the capture of Elephant Pass, the Government has restored the access through the A-9 highway, the main land route to Jaffna from the mainland. At a special news briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silv
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Colombo Page reports that following the capture of Elephant Pass, the Government has restored the access through the A-9 highway, the main land route to Jaffna from the mainland. At a special news briefing held at the Presidential Secretariat, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said now the citizens of Sri Lanka can move freely from southernmost point of Devundara Thuduwa (Dondra Point) to the northernmost Point Pedro. Minister de Silva said the opening of the A-9 main route will facilitate the free and quick movement of people and goods among all parts of the island which will result in an increase in commerce and reduction of prices of essential items in the Jaffna peninsula. He also said this is the first time in many years people can travel through A-9 without paying “taxes” to the LTTE. Even when the A-9 was opened during the cease-fire period, the LTTE was collecting illegal taxes and ransom from the people, he said.
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January - 9 
Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama said on January 9 that Sri Lanka would positively consider handing over LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India alive if the Indian Government made a request to do so, according to Daily Mirror. Responding to a question at the special United People's Freedom Al
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Foreign Minister Rohita Bogollagama said on January 9 that Sri Lanka would positively consider handing over LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to India alive if the Indian Government made a request to do so, according to Daily Mirror. Responding to a question at the special United People's Freedom Alliance news briefing following the capture of Elephant Pass, Bogollagama said there was no extradition treaty between India and Sri Lanka. “But if the Indian Government makes a request to hand over the LTTE leader to India in the event he is arrested alive by the security forces, Sri Lanka would consider it positively under the existing law as he is a murder suspect in India,” Bogollagama said. The Indian Government is yet to make such a request, he said, adding that only some individuals in India had requested Sri Lanka to do so.
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January - 9 
News.lk reports that the Highways Minister, A. L. M. Athaulla, on January 9 called on the Government to resettle all those Muslims who were evicted from Jaffna in July 1991 and are now living in refugee camps in Puttalam or with their relations in the South. Addressing a press conference at the Pres
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News.lk reports that the Highways Minister, A. L. M. Athaulla, on January 9 called on the Government to resettle all those Muslims who were evicted from Jaffna in July 1991 and are now living in refugee camps in Puttalam or with their relations in the South. Addressing a press conference at the Presidential Secretariat, he said Muslims have also undergone severe hardship due to the LTTE and the time had come for those wrongs to be rectified. "Muslims owned land and property in the North and all that should be returned to them," Athaulla said, adding, that it cannot be said the LTTE existed to liberate the Tamil people.
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January - 9 
Security Forces (SFs) captured the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) highway connecting the south with the Jaffna peninsula after 23 years, reported Daily News. Troops of the 53rd, 55th, and 58th Divisions captured the strategically important Elephant Pass by the afternoon of January 9, President Mahinda Rajapakse
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Security Forces (SFs) captured the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) highway connecting the south with the Jaffna peninsula after 23 years, reported Daily News. Troops of the 53rd, 55th, and 58th Divisions captured the strategically important Elephant Pass by the afternoon of January 9, President Mahinda Rajapakse announced. The President said the SFs are now able to connect people in Dondra Head with people in Point Pedro after 23 years in an environment sans terrorism making a bridge of peace between the South and North. The 53rd and 55th Division advancing from Muhamalai and Kilali linked up with troops of the 58th Division who had taken control of the Elephant Pass south by January 6. The 58th Division cleared the path for the 53rd and 55th Division to move towards the south of Jaffna peninsula compelling the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants to vacate many of the areas they held in the southern part of the Jaffna peninsula. With the capture of Elephant Pass, the troops were able to clear a 96 kilometre stretch of the A-9 road between Omanthai and Muhamalai after two years of military operations in Wanni and in the north. Military officials said this is the first time the A-9 road is open till Jaffna under military control after the SFs lost control of it after the departure of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in the late 1980s. The SFs lost control of Elephant Pass in April 2000 when 353 soldiers were killed and over 2,500 injured. “It is after nine years troops are taking control of Elephant Pass from the clutches of the LTTE,” the President stated.
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January - 9 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has asked India to "stop providing military assistance" to the Sri Lankan Government and vowed to take back it de facto political headquarters Kilinochchi, PTI reported on January 10. "India should stop all military assistance to Sri Lankan Army and recogn
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has asked India to "stop providing military assistance" to the Sri Lankan Government and vowed to take back it de facto political headquarters Kilinochchi, PTI reported on January 10. "India should stop all military assistance to Sri Lankan Army and recognise our struggle for liberation", the LTTE political head Balasingham Nadesan told the Tamil bi-weekly Junior Vikatan in an e-mail interview. On whether India seemed to be close to Sri Lankan Government than to the LTTE, Nadesan said, "this causes us deep anguish. We have been reiterating that India should understand its true friends are Tamils.” Conceding that the outfit was "upset" over the loss of Kilinochchi, Nadesan said it was however not a "setback" and the LTTE has recaptured the town on earlier occasions. "This is not the first time that Kilinochchi has been captured by the Lankan Army. We have retrieved Kilinochchi from the army several times and had it under our control for long periods. This is history. We do not see this as a setback", Nadesan said. "We are of course upset (on losing Kilinochchi). But only buildings have been affected. Our doors to liberation remain strong", he added. On why the LTTE is not retaliating in many places in the ongoing confrontation with Sri Lankan Security Forces, which on January 10 took over the crucial Elephant Pass, Nadesan said, "To withdraw is a war strategy to ensure minimum casualties. The Sri Lankan government wants to eliminate the entire Tamil race. But Eelam Tamils are not orphans; the most important message conveyed to this world and the Lankan government is the seven crore Tamils of Tamil Nadu will not remain mute spectators to sufferings of Eelam Tamils… We would retrieve the lands and construct our buildings. I would also like to mention that police department, banks and finance departments have been functioning despite being relocated.” He also said residents of Kilinochchi who have left the town have been relocated to safer places in Wanni. “When situation is favourable to us, we would recapture Kilinochchi and let people live there,” Nadesan said. On the situation in areas under LTTE control, Nadesan stated that “facing the consistent military actions and continuous relocations, our people hope to retrieve the lost lands. All our people have been making huge sacrifices for this cause.” On whether it was possible to get the ban on LTTE revoked, Nadesan said the support rendered “to our struggle by the global Tamil community in unison proves that it is possible.” Nadesan also said that several countries "especially Pakistan and China" have been sending ammunition to Sri Lanka by ships. "This has been confirmed by media in Colombo," he said. Asked if the relief supplies sent from India has been distributed in a fair way, Nadesan replied in the affirmative. "The relief material has been distributed through the International Red Cross society functioning in our regions. They have been doing the distribution in a fair and complete way. Tamils are our umbilical cord relatives and this timely help will remain etched in our memory," Nadesan added.
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January - 9 
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on January 9 expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Sri Lanka with increased number of killings. It said the UN recorded 24 civilian deaths in the Batticaloa district in November 2008 alone.
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The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on January 9 expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation in eastern Sri Lanka with increased number of killings. It said the UN recorded 24 civilian deaths in the Batticaloa district in November 2008 alone.
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January - 10 
Colombo Page reports that the troops of the 59th Division, now advancing towards Mullaitivu, captured another LTTE airstrip located five kilometres west of the Mullaitivu lagoon in the afternoon of January 10, the military said. The Defence Ministry said the airstrip was about 2.5 kilometres long an
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Colombo Page reports that the troops of the 59th Division, now advancing towards Mullaitivu, captured another LTTE airstrip located five kilometres west of the Mullaitivu lagoon in the afternoon of January 10, the military said. The Defence Ministry said the airstrip was about 2.5 kilometres long and 100 metres wide. This is the fourth LTTE airstrip captured by troops in the recent past, military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Troops operating in the Mullaitivu area captured this airstrip together with two empty hangars, he added.
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January - 11 
Sri Lankan Police held the second phase of a special census started earlier to register persons who have come to capital Colombo from the North, East and Central Provinces since January 1, 2003. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said the second phase was held throughout the day at selected Poli
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Sri Lankan Police held the second phase of a special census started earlier to register persons who have come to capital Colombo from the North, East and Central Provinces since January 1, 2003. Police spokesperson Ranjith Gunasekara said the second phase was held throughout the day at selected Police stations in the Western Province. The first phase was held on January 4, 2009, and accordingly over 25,000 persons registered with the Police. The main goal of the census is to document people’s reasons for moving to the Western Province from the North, East or Central Provinces in the last five years. Police have also arrested 10 persons who were unable to provide a reason for coming to Colombo from the North or East.
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January - 11 
The Government said that around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in battle with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last three months and not 15,000, as alleged by the Opposition. Foreign Employment Minister and Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Sunday Island that the figure
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The Government said that around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in battle with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last three months and not 15,000, as alleged by the Opposition. Foreign Employment Minister and Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Sunday Island that the figure of 15,000 soldiers was exaggerated and incorrect. "According to our estimates, around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in action, since October 2008." Asked where he thought LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran might be hiding, Rambukwella said, "he is in Mullaitivu and being guarded by the 2,000 cadres that the LTTE has left. It is a matter of time before its last bastion is also overrun." Asked if he thought the remaining LTTE cadres could regroup and operate as an effective guerrilla organization, he said, "no, they might be able to cause some damage occasionally, but the LTTE, as an organization, has lost its effectiveness and the morale of their cadres is very low. They can no longer pose a serious threat." There has been no official request from India as yet for a captured Prabhakaran to be handed over to them, he said, adding, "Prabhakaran is wanted in both Sri Lanka and India for the atrocities he has committed. The Sri Lankan High Court has already convicted and sentenced him to 200 years in jail."
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January - 12 
News.lk reports that the Government is venturing on a crash development programme in Kilinochchi town in the wake of recent military victories with the objective of getting civilians to return and begin a new life. The immediate priorities would be improving schools, hospitals and developing roads a
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News.lk reports that the Government is venturing on a crash development programme in Kilinochchi town in the wake of recent military victories with the objective of getting civilians to return and begin a new life. The immediate priorities would be improving schools, hospitals and developing roads and the transport sector. SLR 30 million was allocated to improve facilities for the displaced persons, Government officials said.
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January - 12 
The Government on January 12 reiterated that it was fully prepared to handle the mass exodus of civilians from Wanni, and Vavuniya was being readied as a humanitarian assistance hub to cater to their needs. “Arrangements are underway to provide relief for those coming from un-cleared areas seeking s
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The Government on January 12 reiterated that it was fully prepared to handle the mass exodus of civilians from Wanni, and Vavuniya was being readied as a humanitarian assistance hub to cater to their needs. “Arrangements are underway to provide relief for those coming from un-cleared areas seeking shelter and safety,” the RDRS Minister Rishard Bathuideeen said. Authorities have also taken steps to clear an 80 acre land in Vavuniya to construct temporary shelters. RDRS Secretary A. C. M. Razik said the Government had already allocated SLR 30 million as an initial sum to expedite relief measures through the Government Agent in Vavuniya.
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January - 13 
All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana urged Sri Lanka's opposition parties, the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), to rejoin the APRC process to reach a solution for power devolution. Vitharana said all APRC members have agreed that the prov
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All Party Representative Committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana urged Sri Lanka's opposition parties, the United National Party (UNP) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), to rejoin the APRC process to reach a solution for power devolution. Vitharana said all APRC members have agreed that the province as the unit of devolution and it would be offered to the Tamil National Alliance as a solution to the ethnic issue. “For a southern consensus to be reached, it is imperative that the UNP and JVP rejoin the APRC process. I am in discussion with both parties and have urged them to come back and assist in concluding a broad agreement. Thereafter, we can present a set of proposals to the Tamil National Alliance," the Chairman said. There are currently 13 political parties represented in the APRC, but not the main opposition party UNP or JVP. There are only two parties from the opposition - the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress and the Western People's Front led by parliamentarian Mano Ganeshan.
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January - 13 
Civilians started converging into the cleared areas (area under Government control) in Kilinochchi and Jaffna as troops took full control of the Jaffna peninsula, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News. 655 civilians reached the Security Forces (SFs) controlled areas of Kevil
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Civilians started converging into the cleared areas (area under Government control) in Kilinochchi and Jaffna as troops took full control of the Jaffna peninsula, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News. 655 civilians reached the Security Forces (SFs) controlled areas of Kevil and Murusamoddai from the midnight of January 13, the Brigadier added. "Many of these civilians walked into Security Forces controlled areas after escaping from the LTTE’s grip whilst a group of 47 people reaching Murusamoddai area in a boat from the lagoon in the East of Elephant Pass", Nanayakkara informed. "There will be a sharp increase in the number of civilians arriving in the Security Forces controlled areas as troops are fast moving into Dharmapuram and Vaddakkachchi areas where the LTTE is holding a large number of civilians", he added.
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January - 13 
The Army has, meanwhile, successfully cornered the LTTE to a 600 square kilometres area with the present progress in operations killing almost 15,000 militants within the past three years, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said on January 13, Daily News reported. “Today the Army is st
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The Army has, meanwhile, successfully cornered the LTTE to a 600 square kilometres area with the present progress in operations killing almost 15,000 militants within the past three years, Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said on January 13, Daily News reported. “Today the Army is strong with 180,000 personnel where as a few years ago, we had just 116,000 people. We elevated ourselves not just with man power but with well trained, sharp and skilled professionals,” he stated.
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January - 13 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reported to have carried out 168 suicide attacks between 1984 and 2006. This is the highest number of suicide attacks by a terrorist organisation during this period, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, according to Daily
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is reported to have carried out 168 suicide attacks between 1984 and 2006. This is the highest number of suicide attacks by a terrorist organisation during this period, said the Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, according to Daily News. "The LTTE carried out 346 attacks targeting innocent civilians in many parts of the country and they assassinated 3,262 civilians during 1984 to 2006. They have killed 2,252 Sinhala civilians, 309 Tamil civilians and 701 Muslim civilians in these attacks and have seriously injured 3,494 people including children, women and even pregnant mothers,” de Silva said while addressing an election meeting at the United People's Freedom Alliance party office in Kurunegala Town on January 10. The Minister also said the LTTE killed 50 political leaders, including President Ranasinghe Premadasa, United National Party Presidential election candidate, Gamini Dissanayake, Ministers D.M. Dassanayake and Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and veteran politician Lakshman Kadirgamar. They also tried to assassinate former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, he added.
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January - 14 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran are presently confined to a minuscule area of 30 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in breadth in the north-eastern district of Mullaitivu, according to Express Buzz. Over the l
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and its chief Velupillai Prabhakaran are presently confined to a minuscule area of 30 kilometres in length and 20 kilometres in breadth in the north-eastern district of Mullaitivu, according to Express Buzz. Over the last few days, the LTTE lost about 1,000 square kilometres, shrinking area under their control rapidly. Interacting with foreign journalists on January 12, Rajapakse said Mullaitivu town had all but fallen because it was being attacked from the west, south and the north giving the LTTE no chance to stem the assault. Asked when the war would be over, he said he hoped to end it in about two-and-a-half months. The President accused the LTTE of holding Tamil civilians in Mullaitivu District as hostage to be used as a human shield. He claimed that civilians had to pay SLR 100,000 to the LTTE to migrate to the Government-held areas. Although there were only about 1700 to 1900 LTTE cadres now, the outfit was guarding all the exit points to prevent civilians from fleeing, he said. When pointed out that so far only 1168 persons had come away from the LTTE-held areas, the President said that it was unthinkable that any civilian would want to stay on in a war-zone. The LTTE was exaggerating the number of civilians who were trapped, Rajapakse maintained, adding, "it is not 300,000 but less than 100,000." He also said, "once the LTTE is defeated, we’ll hold elections in those areas. Let the people vote for who they want." The military is reported to have stated that it has killed at least 14,000 militants and estimates there are fewer than 2000 LTTE cadres now left cornered into a triangular area of about 45 sq km.
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January - 15 
An airstrip around 1,100 metres long and 40 metres wide inside the dense Iranamadu jungle was captured by the SFs following intensive fighting. Brigadier Nanayakkara said the LTTE runway was surrounded by massive bunker lines and trenches, as well as laid with landmines and booby traps, adding, “A h
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An airstrip around 1,100 metres long and 40 metres wide inside the dense Iranamadu jungle was captured by the SFs following intensive fighting. Brigadier Nanayakkara said the LTTE runway was surrounded by massive bunker lines and trenches, as well as laid with landmines and booby traps, adding, “A hanger was also found in the vicinity which was damaged by fleeing LTTE cadres.”
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January - 15 
The courageous political leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapakse and the correct military leadership given to the Security Forces were the principal reasons behind the historic victories achieved in the struggle to defeat terrorism, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 15, a
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The courageous political leadership given by President Mahinda Rajapakse and the correct military leadership given to the Security Forces were the principal reasons behind the historic victories achieved in the struggle to defeat terrorism, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 15, according to Daily News. There was tremendous external and internal pressure brought on President Rajapakse, especially at the initial period of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), the Defence Secretary explained. Some foreign powers not only told him that the LTTE was invincible but also wanted him to stop the war, he said. “There were also difficulties in procuring necessary arms and equipment for the prosecution of the war. It was through the untiring efforts of the President that Sri Lanka could obtain the required military hardware from China, Pakistan and other friendly countries,” he added. The Defence Secretary also revealed that it was the changed strategy and tactics in the battle front that facilitated the military victories. The use of small groups, formation of wide fronts as well as simultaneous offensive operations from several locations, the use of special task forces and commando groups were some of these new strategic and tactical measures, he explained. The Sri Lanka Navy also developed new strategies, some of which were engaging the enemy at deep sea far off from our shores, the use of small crafts in combating LTTE boats, he said. Similarly, the Sri Lankan Air Force which could aim more precisely at targets identified by ground and air surveillance helped the advance of the army, he opined. The myth of LTTE invincibility has been shattered and the victories were achieved with stunning rapidity, the Defence Secretary revealed.
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January - 16 
Ruling out a general amnesty for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 16 that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his chief lieutenants would be tried for crimes they had committed, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Even if they sur
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Ruling out a general amnesty for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on January 16 that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and his chief lieutenants would be tried for crimes they had committed, both in Sri Lanka and abroad. Even if they surrendered to the army, the Government would go ahead with legal proceedings, he told The Island. Rajapakse said that although ordinary LTTE cadres would be rehabilitated to facilitate their return to civilian life, the top LTTE leadership shouldn’t expect clemency. He also said Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman couldn’t be handed over to India as they had to first face charges in Sri Lanka.
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January - 17 
During the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in Colombo, Sri Lanka committed to moving on to a political resolution process after the military campaign, reports Times of India on January 18. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs
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During the meeting between President Mahinda Rajapakse and the visiting Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon in Colombo, Sri Lanka committed to moving on to a political resolution process after the military campaign, reports Times of India on January 18. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson said, "The foreign secretary urged early movement towards a peacefully negotiated political settlement in the island, including in the North. He reiterated the importance of a political understanding within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, wherein all communities, including the Tamil community, live in peace and dignity." Further, the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the Government has not discussed any kind of agreement with the Indian Foreign Secretary on a possible cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Colombo Page reported.
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January - 17 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may have already fled Sri Lanka with the army moving swiftly towards the outfit’s final strongholds, Army chief General Sarath Fonseka said, reports Times of India. He also predicted victory in a matter of months as the LTTE re
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may have already fled Sri Lanka with the army moving swiftly towards the outfit’s final strongholds, Army chief General Sarath Fonseka said, reports Times of India. He also predicted victory in a matter of months as the LTTE resistance was weaker than expected. "Prabhakaran is a man who loves food, a man who loves his family, so I don't think he would wait until the military got so close to him. He must have already escaped through the sea," Fonseka told reporters on January 17. He, however, declined to speculate on where Prabhakaran would have fled to. Fonseka also said that Prabhakaran would neither commit suicide as he exhorts his followers to do with cyanide capsules worn around their necks, nor allow himself to be captured like former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein. Meanwhile, Express Buzz reports that Sri Lankan troops have launched a search to arrest Prabhakaran, believed to be hiding inside a 35-meter deep bunker in Mullaitivu District, the State radio Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation said on January 17. Fonseka also said the LTTE now hold an area of 30 kilometres by 15 kilometres and said troops had marched 17 kilometres toward Mullaitivu in as many days. "When the war started, I used 50 map sheets to plan it. Now I only need one sheet to plan it," he noted.
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January - 17 
The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced that the Japanese Special Peace Envoy for Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, will arrive in the country on January 21 to discuss, among other issues, the current situation, including the human rights and problems faced by the internally displaced people in Wanni.
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The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced that the Japanese Special Peace Envoy for Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi, will arrive in the country on January 21 to discuss, among other issues, the current situation, including the human rights and problems faced by the internally displaced people in Wanni.
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January - 18 
Officials said the morgue in Vavuniya hospital is packed with bodies of slain LTTE militants, reports Colombo Page. 31 unclaimed dead bodies are lying at the hospital morgue currently. Security Forces (SFs) have handed over another 12 LTTE dead bodies, including five of female cadres, to the hospita
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Officials said the morgue in Vavuniya hospital is packed with bodies of slain LTTE militants, reports Colombo Page. 31 unclaimed dead bodies are lying at the hospital morgue currently. Security Forces (SFs) have handed over another 12 LTTE dead bodies, including five of female cadres, to the hospital in the evening of January 18. Dead bodies of LTTE militants are also reportedly piling up in other hospitals in the region, including Trincomalee, Mannar and Anuradhapura. More than 75 dead bodies of militants have so far been buried with the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) last week in cemeteries of Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Mannar and Anuradhapura Districts. The ICRC resumed its transport duties on January 16 after a brief interruption due to the unavailability of security guarantee from both sides.
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January - 19 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 19 that military operations in the North are not only to capture the territory held by the LTTE but also to free people in the areas under LTTE control and reinstate peace, freedom and democracy to the Tamil people of the North, according to Colombo Page.
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 19 that military operations in the North are not only to capture the territory held by the LTTE but also to free people in the areas under LTTE control and reinstate peace, freedom and democracy to the Tamil people of the North, according to Colombo Page. Addressing a work shop at the Presidential Secretariat, he said the LTTE is now facing a certain defeat and the Government forces will capture the final rebel bastion, Mullaitivu soon.
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January - 20 
An unnamed senior military official said on January 20 that speedy moves by the Security Forces from all fronts have confined the LTTE into an area North of Paranthan–Mullaitivu (A-35) road between Dharmapuram and Mullaitivu, further shrinking the areas under the outfit’s control to less than 400 sq
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An unnamed senior military official said on January 20 that speedy moves by the Security Forces from all fronts have confined the LTTE into an area North of Paranthan–Mullaitivu (A-35) road between Dharmapuram and Mullaitivu, further shrinking the areas under the outfit’s control to less than 400 square kilometres, according to Daily News. ”The LTTE has also come under immense pressure as troops of the 58 and 57 Divisions are also poised to enter into a decisive phase of the battle in Vishvamadu with these two Divisions entering into LTTE nerve centre in Vishvamadu where LTTE is keeping innocent Tamil civilians by force”, the sources added.
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January - 20 
Government planned to start an intercity bus service from Colombo to Jaffna shortly. A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told Daily News the Government would streamline the passenger bus service in the recaptured areas of the Northern Province with immediate effect. The spokesman said the Governm
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Government planned to start an intercity bus service from Colombo to Jaffna shortly. A spokesman for the Transport Ministry told Daily News the Government would streamline the passenger bus service in the recaptured areas of the Northern Province with immediate effect. The spokesman said the Government would rebuild the Jaffna-Kandy (A-9) road which it had taken full control of after 23 years. A passenger transport service is planned from Vavuniya to Jaffna as well. At present, the Vavuniya depot is operating buses on 19 routes in the north.
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January - 20 
Government said that not a single civilian was killed in the conflict between Government forces and the LTTE in Mullaitivu District, according to BBC. The Minister in charge of Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, accused the BBC of carrying out 'false information' on civilian casualties in the battl
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Government said that not a single civilian was killed in the conflict between Government forces and the LTTE in Mullaitivu District, according to BBC. The Minister in charge of Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, accused the BBC of carrying out 'false information' on civilian casualties in the battlefield in northern Sri Lanka. Samarasinghe told journalists in Colombo that the media should verify information they receive from hospitals in Wanni with health ministry officials in Colombo. Athula Kahandaliyanage, secretary to the ministry of health, pointed out that although the BBC usually contacts him, there was no call from the BBC on this particular incident. An International Committee of the Red Cross official also confirmed that not a single patient was killed in attacks, he added. Earlier on January 18, BBC quoting Paddikkudiyiruppu Hospital Medical staffs had reported that at least 18 civilians were killed during the weekend as the military continues its offensive on the northern bases of the LTTE. Hospital officials had said the number killed in fighting around Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu could be much higher.
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January - 21 
Nine journalists were killed and 27 others were assaulted in Sri Lanka since January 2006, the Government said on January 21, according to Colombo Page. The chief Government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in the Parliament that during the same period five journalists were abducted by unidentified grou
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Nine journalists were killed and 27 others were assaulted in Sri Lanka since January 2006, the Government said on January 21, according to Colombo Page. The chief Government whip Dinesh Gunawardena said in the Parliament that during the same period five journalists were abducted by unidentified groups in the country. But four out of them were found later, the Minister added. According to him, the Labour Minister Mervyn Silva’s name was also in the records of Cinnamon Grand Police with regard to the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation attack on December 27, 2007. M.G. Nuwan Gunathilaka alias "Kudu Nuwan", a main supporter of Minister Mervyn Silva has been released on bail by the courts on the issue, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed the House.
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January - 21 
The Sri Lanka Army on January 21 assigned new un-cleared area (area not under Government Control) in the Mullaitivu District as a Safe Zone and urged civilians to move into the area as soon as possible, reports Colombo Page. The Media Centre for National Security said the Army has immediately demarc
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The Sri Lanka Army on January 21 assigned new un-cleared area (area not under Government Control) in the Mullaitivu District as a Safe Zone and urged civilians to move into the area as soon as possible, reports Colombo Page. The Media Centre for National Security said the Army has immediately demarcated an expanded Safe Zone within areas yet to be liberated and appeals those besieged civilians to move into those areas. The Safe Zone borders a four kilometers stretch of the Puthukkudiyiruppu–Paranthan (A-35) main road from Udayankattu junction to the Yellow Bridge on the south and extends northwards to Iruthumadu and Thevipuram. The demarcated area touches the A-35 road giving civilians access for easy movement. The Army has formally requested the International Committee of the Red Cross officials in Vavuniya to enlighten the trapped civilians in Wanni about the demarcation of the new Safe Zone and encourage them to seek protection within that Zone.
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January - 22 
According to Daily News, Military spokesman Brigadier Nanayakkara on January 22 said that 2,959 civilians had arrived in the cleared areas from the LTTE territory from January 1 to January 21.
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According to Daily News, Military spokesman Brigadier Nanayakkara on January 22 said that 2,959 civilians had arrived in the cleared areas from the LTTE territory from January 1 to January 21.
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January - 22 
At least 100 persons were killed in artillery exchanges between military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last one week, an unnamed Government official working in the area controlled by the LTTE said on January 22. "Around 30 people died in the morning today. Personally I saw t
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At least 100 persons were killed in artillery exchanges between military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the last one week, an unnamed Government official working in the area controlled by the LTTE said on January 22. "Around 30 people died in the morning today. Personally I saw that nearly 100 people have died from Saturday [January 17] up to today. More than 300 have been injured," Mullaitivu District Government Agent Emelda Sukumar told Reuters. Sukumar, who spoke from Mullaitivu, is in charge of Government services in the LTTE-held area, said, "When people occupy particular places, the LTTE send shells from that area, and then army also targets the same area. So people cannot escape from the shelling." As reported earlier, the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 22 claimed that 66 civilians were killed and more than 200 wounded in Sri Lanka Army’s artillery fire within the last three days in Mullaitivu District. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara denying this said, "Today we stopped firing and took 46 patients from that hospital through the Red Cross, so that kind of humanitarian operation is underway. We didn't fire into the safe zone because we wanted civilians to come." Earlier, on January 21, the military had announced a 32 square kilometers Safe Zone near Mullaitivu and dropped leaflets urging civilians to go there.
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January - 22 
Police have requested public to be vigilant and take extra precautions as 14 LTTE suicide cadres have been deployed to carry out destructive missions in the South, according to Daily News. Police spokesman Gunaskera said intelligence following arrest of several LTTE suspects in the South have reveal
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Police have requested public to be vigilant and take extra precautions as 14 LTTE suicide cadres have been deployed to carry out destructive missions in the South, according to Daily News. Police spokesman Gunaskera said intelligence following arrest of several LTTE suspects in the South have revealed that 16 LTTE cadres have been deployed to carry out suicide missions in the South. Two of the 16 missions have been accomplished and there are14 remaining. Recalling the series of bomb blasts carried out by the LTTE in the South during January-February 2008, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the public should be alert and pay extra attention in the coming days as the country is preparing to celebrate Independence Day (February 4). He also said that the latest ruse adopted by the LTTE is to manufacture claymore mines covered with fibre glass resembling milestones, adds The Island. "Tigers are adopting every conceivable method to deceive the troops but they are not taking any chances," he added.
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January - 22 
Reuters reports that the United Nations (UN) said on January 22 that the LTTE had violated international law for refusing to allow local staff and their families to leave Sri Lanka's war zone. The UN in Sri Lanka in a statement said it had "issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their
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Reuters reports that the United Nations (UN) said on January 22 that the LTTE had violated international law for refusing to allow local staff and their families to leave Sri Lanka's war zone. The UN in Sri Lanka in a statement said it had "issued its strongest possible protest to the LTTE for their refusal to allow U.N. national staff and dependents" to leave the war zone in a convoy." The LTTE's denial of safe passage is a clear abrogation of their obligations under international humanitarian law," the statement said, adding that the convoy had been stuck in the war zone since January 16. Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that around 230,000 people have been displaced due to the fighting during the second half of 2008. Since early October UN convoys have brought approximately 7,000 tons of vital food and relief supplies to displaced population, OCHA added.
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January - 23 
Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi, who is on visit to Sri Lanka, on January 23 said, “I believe an environment in which all could live in peace and harmony in the near future will dawn in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.” Akashi during his meeting with Preside
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Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi, who is on visit to Sri Lanka, on January 23 said, “I believe an environment in which all could live in peace and harmony in the near future will dawn in Sri Lanka under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.” Akashi during his meeting with President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees said his Government would provide its maximum support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to develop the North as large-scale development projects were implemented in the East. Akashi expressed his satisfaction at the efforts undertaken by the Government to safeguard the civilian population in the north. He expressed his confidence in the All Party Representative Committee as a viable mechanism through which to bring about devolution of power and to build a pluralistic Sri Lankan society. He stated that Japan was fully conscious of the Sri Lanka Government’s commitment to finding a political solution to the conflict, and expressed the hope that the political process would continue. Referring to the concerns expressed by the international community, Akashi emphasised that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should not be allowed to use civilians as a human shield.
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January - 23 
Malaysia has sounded an alert for Prabhakaran after reports that he may have entered the country as Sri Lankan troops were closing in on his remaining stronghold of Mullaitivu, PTI reported. Police chief Musa Hassan said he had ordered a nationwide alert following reports that Prabhakaran may have f
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Malaysia has sounded an alert for Prabhakaran after reports that he may have entered the country as Sri Lankan troops were closing in on his remaining stronghold of Mullaitivu, PTI reported. Police chief Musa Hassan said he had ordered a nationwide alert following reports that Prabhakaran may have fled here or to Thailand, a media report said on January 22. "If Prabhakaran is not here, my men will be monitoring all entry points into the country to ensure he does not enter," Musa told The New Straits Times. "We are also using our local intelligence network to ascertain if he is already in the country," he said. The action by the Malaysian police follows the Sri Lankan Army chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka's comments that Prabhakaran might have fled the country.
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January - 23 
Sri Lanka’s donor group Co-chairs – the United States, European Union, Norway and Japan -- while backing the ongoing humanitarian operations are in constant touch with the Government with the common objective of bringing a speedy solution to the ethnic conflict, the Foreign Affairs Minister said on
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Sri Lanka’s donor group Co-chairs – the United States, European Union, Norway and Japan -- while backing the ongoing humanitarian operations are in constant touch with the Government with the common objective of bringing a speedy solution to the ethnic conflict, the Foreign Affairs Minister said on January 23, according to Daily Mirror. “We are continuously briefing the US, the EU, Norway and Japan through our missions in these countries and their representatives in Colombo on the humanitarian operations in the North. They are keen to see the start of the flow of development aid once normalcy is restored in the North,” Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said. He said the Sri Lankan government was never pressured either by India or the Co-chairs to halt humanitarian operations as they understood the situation.
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January - 23 
Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader and the Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan said on January 23 that the Government would put an end to the child soldiers’ issue in the Eastern Province within the next three months under a joint agreement signed by the Government, UNI
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Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) leader and the Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan said on January 23 that the Government would put an end to the child soldiers’ issue in the Eastern Province within the next three months under a joint agreement signed by the Government, UNICEF and the TMVP. “According to the agreement, we have to finish the entire task of rehabilitating child soldiers within three months. We have already done a lot for the welfare of these children,” he told a media briefing at the Parliamentary complex. Muraleetharan said the TMVP handed over 14 underage cadres to the new Child Welfare Office opened in Batticaloa on January 22. The TMVP will hand over another 20 cadres within the next two weeks. The TMVP does not have any child soldiers at present. The TMVP in collaboration with the Government and the UNICEF has arranged a rehabilitation program for the welfare of these children. A new Child Welfare Office was also opened in the Government Agents office, Batticaloa for the welfare of these children. After these children are rehabilitated, they can join the Army, go abroad or join the society, he said. Muraleetharan said, “The TMVP does not have any of its own Armed Force as the Government has provided adequate security to all TMVP representatives. Earlier we had a small force of our own security.” The TMVP is working closely with the Government and the UNICEF to rehabilitate the children. The Government has done much for the welfare of these children. In addition, the UNICEF has also arranged a series of programs for the benefit of these children, he said. Philippe Duamelle said the Government and the TMVP has made a firm commitment to put an end to the child soldier issue. Concrete action has been taken on this issue under the new agreement signed on December 7, 2008, Duamelle said.
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January - 23 
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on January 23 called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to release thousands of civilians including as many as 75,000 children entrapped in the war zone along with nearly 100 child soldiers recruited by the outfit, reports Colombo Page. Philip
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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on January 23 called on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to release thousands of civilians including as many as 75,000 children entrapped in the war zone along with nearly 100 child soldiers recruited by the outfit, reports Colombo Page. Philip Duamelle, the Sri Lanka resident representative to the UNICEF said the situation in the north-eastern region of Sri Lanka is worrisome, with thousands of civilians entrapped in the battle fields and used as human shields. Duamelle said the UNICEF was deeply concerned about the children trapped in conflict areas and those serving as underage combatants within LTTE ranks. "We are very concerned of the situation in Wanni as large numbers of children are trapped in a small area without proper access to shelter and food. The LTTE must realise the situation and I call upon them to release these people,” he said.
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January - 23 
Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is still hiding in the jungles in northern Sri Lanka, his former deputy and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna told reporters on January 23, acc
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Velupillai Prabhakaran, the elusive leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), is still hiding in the jungles in northern Sri Lanka, his former deputy and leader of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna told reporters on January 23, according to Colombo Page. 'It will be difficult for him (Prabhakaran) to survive, now that the army is after him,' he said, adding that the LTTE leader might be hiding in the jungles in the north.
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January - 25 
The Security Forces (SFs) now engaged in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Mullaitivu District achieved one of the major victories in the afternoon of January 25 after 59th Division troops captured the Mullaitivu Town, the LTTE’s most prestigious military st
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The Security Forces (SFs) now engaged in the final battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Mullaitivu District achieved one of the major victories in the afternoon of January 25 after 59th Division troops captured the Mullaitivu Town, the LTTE’s most prestigious military stronghold in the Eastern coast, military officials told Daily News. The troops entered Mullaitivu by 1 pm (SLST). Earlier, on January 23, the 59th Division made a major breakthrough in their battle to capture Mullaitivu with the capture of the earth bund located four kilometres south of Mullaitivu centre. “The LTTE strongly held this defence line in the North of Alampil even after 59 Division troops captured Mulliyavalai and Thanniattu towns located on the Mullaitivu-Oddusudan A-35 road”, military officials added. The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter jets and MI 24 helicopter gun ships gave strong support for the ground troops to capture this earth bund to open the gateway of Mullaitivu. Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka announced this victory to the nation in the evening in a special message telecast live. “The Tiger stronghold of Mullaitivu fell under Security Forces control after 13 years with the 59 Division troops under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta entering this strategic stronghold last afternoon”, military officials said. Mullaitivu was among the most prestigious and strategically important townships such as Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Pooneryn and Elephant Pass, the LTTE had controlled during the two and half decades long conflict. The LTTE has lost all these strongholds within the past two months with the fall of Pooneryn on November 15, 2008. The Army last controlled this isolated Army camp located in Mullaitivu in 1996 and it was overrun by the LTTE on July 18, 1996 which went down in military history as one of the major debacles losing a large haul of weapons including long range artillery and mortars and more than 1,000 soldiers. The SFs which commenced military operations to liberate the Wanni in February 2007 launched the 59th offensive Division under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta in January 2008 from Welioya with the objective of liberating Mullaitivu from the LTTE. It achieved this major victory after capturing the entire Mullaitivu jungle, including the Nitthikaikulam, Thanimurkkuulam, LTTE’s 14 Base complex, Nayaru, Kumulamunai, Alampil and Mulliyavalai areas. With the capture of Mullaitivu which was famous as one of the strongest Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) bases, the LTTE has now been confined to 280 square Kilometres of territory in the Puthukuduiruppu and Visuamadu areas. The LTTE is also on the verge of losing Puthukuduiruppu junction and the road stretch of the A-35 between Visuamadu and Puthukuduiruppu as troops attached to Task Force II, Task Force III and Task Force IV were poised to capture the road further confining the LTTE to North of the Puthukuduiruppu and Vishvamadu areas with six offensive Divisions surrounding this territory from the West, South and East as of January 25-evening.
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January - 26 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka health unions on January 26 urged the Government and International Committee of Red Cross to intervene to get the health workers who are currently in LTTE custody released. Saman Rathnapriya, chairman of the All Ceylon Health Service Union, said there are nearly 1
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka health unions on January 26 urged the Government and International Committee of Red Cross to intervene to get the health workers who are currently in LTTE custody released. Saman Rathnapriya, chairman of the All Ceylon Health Service Union, said there are nearly 100 health workers being held captive at various places in Mullaitivu.
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January - 26 
The Government, meanwhile on January 26, banned the Voice of Tigers (VoT), the so-called official radio of the LTTE, Director General of the Media Center for the National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle, told The Island. A special gazette was issued on January 27, he said. The Telecommunication Regulat
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The Government, meanwhile on January 26, banned the Voice of Tigers (VoT), the so-called official radio of the LTTE, Director General of the Media Center for the National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle, told The Island. A special gazette was issued on January 27, he said. The Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (TRC) had terminated the broadcast license granted to the VoT by the Media Ministry of the last Government under Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The TRC Chairman, Priyantha Kariyapperuma, told The Island that following the outfit’s proscription, the ban of their radio was mandatory.
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January - 26 
United Nations (UN) said that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in fighting between troops and the LTTE in the north-east in the past few days. UN spokesman Gordon Weiss told BBC that shells exploded very close to civilian areas in Mullaitivu District, adding, "The shells landed on the
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United Nations (UN) said that dozens of civilians have been killed or injured in fighting between troops and the LTTE in the north-east in the past few days. UN spokesman Gordon Weiss told BBC that shells exploded very close to civilian areas in Mullaitivu District, adding, "The shells landed on the A35 road inside the no-fire zone declared by the army. Some shells landed close to a local UN office. Many civilians have been killed or injured. Our staff members witnessed the death of civilians. But we cannot determine where the fire came from." Another UN spokesman, the resident coordinator Neil Buhne, told Associated Press, "There have been many civilians killed over the last two days. It's really a crisis now." However, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told BBC that the Army had no need to fire at civilian areas and strongly denied allegations that the military was responsible for the attacks.
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January - 27 
According to Colombo Page, the ICRC said a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the North as civilians are caught in the crossfire between the Army and LTTE. In a statement released on January 27, the ICRC said hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are crowded in ill-equippe
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According to Colombo Page, the ICRC said a major humanitarian crisis is unfolding in the North as civilians are caught in the crossfire between the Army and LTTE. In a statement released on January 27, the ICRC said hundreds of people have been killed and scores of wounded are crowded in ill-equipped and understaffed medical facilities in the North. "People are being caught in the crossfire, hospitals and ambulances have been hit by shelling and several aid workers have been injured while evacuating the wounded. The violence is preventing the ICRC from operating in the region," said Jacques de Maio, the ICRC head of operations for South Asia, in Geneva. According to the ICRC, an estimated 250000 people are trapped in a 250 square-kilometre area and they are in need of protection, medical care and basic assistance. "It's high time to take decisive action and stop further bloodshed because time is running out," de Maio said. The ICRC urgently appealed to both sides to allow and facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone. The ICRC, the only international aid agency to remain permanently in Wanni, said they are determined to stay as long as possible in Wanni, but the parties must respect its presence and its work. In response to the crisis, the ICRC is stepping up its support for Puthukkudiyiruppu Hospital in Wanni, the statement added.
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January - 27 
Commander of the 59th Division, Brigadier Nandana Udawatta, said on January 27 that troops advancing from the north of Mullaitivu town succeeded in capturing a stretch of two kilometres amidst stiff resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He added that the
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Commander of the 59th Division, Brigadier Nandana Udawatta, said on January 27 that troops advancing from the north of Mullaitivu town succeeded in capturing a stretch of two kilometres amidst stiff resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Daily News. He added that the Security Forces (SFs) are advancing towards Puthukuduiruppu. Troops operating in Mullaitivu town also recovered a LTTE defence line which consisted of a massive earth bund and a ditch.
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January - 27 
Daily News reports that Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Secretary Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha on January 27 said over 6000 civilians have arrived to the No War Zone declared by the Government since January 22. The Government declared a no war zone to facilitate civilians in uncleared to ent
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Daily News reports that Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry Secretary Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha on January 27 said over 6000 civilians have arrived to the No War Zone declared by the Government since January 22. The Government declared a no war zone to facilitate civilians in uncleared to enter cleared areas.
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January - 27 
Government said on January 27 that a manhunt was on for Prabhakaran and if captured alive he would not be extradited to India but first tried in Sri Lanka on charges of crimes committed by him. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror that despite an Indian Government request for the
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Government said on January 27 that a manhunt was on for Prabhakaran and if captured alive he would not be extradited to India but first tried in Sri Lanka on charges of crimes committed by him. Defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told Daily Mirror that despite an Indian Government request for the extradition of Prabhakaran to stand trial for the killing of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Prabhakaran would be first tried in Sri Lanka where there was a 200-year sentence for his involvement in the Central Bank bombing. He said the Government had asked Malaysia and India to hand over Prabhakaran to Sri Lanka if he was caught in either of those countries. He said the Government was certain that the Prabhakaran was still in hiding in some section of the un-cleared area (area not under Government control) in Mullaitivu and a manhunt was in operation to capture him.
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January - 27 
Mukherjee said that India has no sympathy for terrorist organisations, but wants Sri Lanka to ensure that civilians are not victimised in the conflict between the armed forces and the LTTE. “I will go to Sri Lanka and have discussions with the President and other authorities there and see what best
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Mukherjee said that India has no sympathy for terrorist organisations, but wants Sri Lanka to ensure that civilians are not victimised in the conflict between the armed forces and the LTTE. “I will go to Sri Lanka and have discussions with the President and other authorities there and see what best can be done in this situation,” he told journalists in New Delhi , adding, “We are for fighting terrorists and all sorts of terrorism. Therefore, we have no sympathy for any organisation indulging in terrorist activity, particularly the LTTE, which is a banned organisation in India. However, we shall have to see how civilians can be protected and [we can ensure that] they do not become hapless victims of the situation.”
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January - 27 
President Mahinda Rajapakse told the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 27 that he was extending a personal invitation to the Tamil Nadu (Southern Indian State) Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Jayalalit
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President Mahinda Rajapakse told the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on January 27 that he was extending a personal invitation to the Tamil Nadu (Southern Indian State) Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader Jayalalithaa to visit Sri Lanka to persuade the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream. Mukherjee, who made an unscheduled visit to Colombo, said the humanitarian situation in the war zone came up for discussion and the President assured him that his Government would respect the areas demarcated as safe zones and minimise civilian casualties.
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January - 27 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Sri Lanka and leading his fighters on the battlefront in Mullaitivu, B. Nadesan, political head of the outfit, told BBC, according to Times of India. Describing as "malicious propaganda" reports that Prabhakaran has
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Sri Lanka and leading his fighters on the battlefront in Mullaitivu, B. Nadesan, political head of the outfit, told BBC, according to Times of India. Describing as "malicious propaganda" reports that Prabhakaran has fled the island, Nadesan claimed that he (Prabhakaran) "is with our people", and is still leading the "freedom struggle" and ruled out LTTE cadres laying down arms and entering negotiations with the Government. "We took up arms to safeguard our people. We need a guarantee of living with freedom, dignity and sovereignty...until that we will continue fighting," he said. Talking about the reverses suffered by the outfit, he said "in a liberation war it is normal for a force to lose territory and regain the same." He also said in the past LTTE had withdrawn many times and bounced back to achieve big victories.
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January - 28 
Nearly 13,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have been killed during the past two years of conflict in Sri Lanka since the operations to liberate the Northern region began in July 2006, the military said on January 28, according to Colombo Page. Over 3700 soldiers have died in the
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Nearly 13,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have been killed during the past two years of conflict in Sri Lanka since the operations to liberate the Northern region began in July 2006, the military said on January 28, according to Colombo Page. Over 3700 soldiers have died in the ongoing battles, during the same period, the Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Over 1500 LTTE cadres have been killed during the clashes in the past two months alone. Nearly 150 Government soldiers have also been killed in the same period, the spokesman added.
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January - 28 
Sri Lankan Government, responding to an "appeal" for medical supplies in the media and diplomatic circles claiming that 300 Tamil civilians were killed and 1,000 injured in Suthanthirapuram Udaiyaarkaddu and Vallipuram areas of Mullaitivu, in a statement released on January 28, termed the "appeal" a
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Sri Lankan Government, responding to an "appeal" for medical supplies in the media and diplomatic circles claiming that 300 Tamil civilians were killed and 1,000 injured in Suthanthirapuram Udaiyaarkaddu and Vallipuram areas of Mullaitivu, in a statement released on January 28, termed the "appeal" as a "hoax" and "a total fabrication", according to PTI. It said Dr. Thurairajah Varatharaja, the Regional Director of Health Services Mullaitivu, who is purported to be the originator of this "appeal" has denied any association with it and stated that its contents are false and exaggerated. "It has not originated from him or his office, and that he does not agree with its contents," the statement said. Athula Kahandliyanage, Secretary in the Health Ministry, said "the 2009 first quarter of drugs to Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi has been sent. The Mullaitivu supplies are awaiting road clearance and will be delivered soon."
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January - 29 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Government, regretting a recent statement made in Geneva by the ICRC, said the organization fails to note current ground realities in Sri Lanka. Issuing a special statement the ICRC, appealed to "the both sides, Sri Lanka government and LTTE" to allow and facilita
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Government, regretting a recent statement made in Geneva by the ICRC, said the organization fails to note current ground realities in Sri Lanka. Issuing a special statement the ICRC, appealed to "the both sides, Sri Lanka government and LTTE" to allow and facilitate the safe and voluntary movement of civilians out of the combat zone. The Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights today said that the ICRC staff in Colombo is well aware of current situation that the LTTE has barred the movement of civilians to government controlled areas. The fact that Geneva seems oblivious to all this suggests either wilful ignorance or naiveté, the Government said.
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January - 29 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 29 that they have declared a safe-zone for civilians, according to Daily News. "I urge the LTTE within the next 48 hours to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure e
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on January 29 that they have declared a safe-zone for civilians, according to Daily News. "I urge the LTTE within the next 48 hours to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure environment. I also assure all those living in the North and conflict areas in particular, that vacating LTTE held areas will ensure their physical security and enable peace, freedom and rights for all citizens of this country," the statement said. He said his Government was committed to ushering in peace so that all people of Sri Lanka, especially those in the North and the East would have the opportunity to choose their leaders through election, adding, "However, all efforts for finding solutions peacefully for outstanding issues in the North and the East were repudiated by the LTTE and I was compelled to take measures to combat the terrorism unleashed by the LTTE on the people of Sri Lanka. In the efforts to eradicate terrorism and in the humanitarian operations to free civilians from suffering and insecurity, the Government and the Security Forces have been conscious of the welfare of civilians, their lives and property at all times."
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January - 29 
The LTTE released the two UN expatriates they were holding and allowed to return the Government controlled areas but detained the 13 local staff further, the military said, reported Colombo Page. The LTTE has detained the two expatriates and 13 local staff of the UN aid convoy travelled to the LTTE-
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The LTTE released the two UN expatriates they were holding and allowed to return the Government controlled areas but detained the 13 local staff further, the military said, reported Colombo Page. The LTTE has detained the two expatriates and 13 local staff of the UN aid convoy travelled to the LTTE-held areas to deliver food and other essential items to the civilians in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area since January 16. The UN office issued a request on January 22 to allow the staff and dependents travelling with the UN aid convoy safe passage to return to the Government controlled area.
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January - 29 
The political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, said on January 29 that the outfit has been urging the United Nations (UN), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international actors through all available offices to facilitate transportation for the wounded civilians
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The political wing leader of the LTTE, Balasingham Nadesan, said on January 29 that the outfit has been urging the United Nations (UN), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other international actors through all available offices to facilitate transportation for the wounded civilians in need of medical treatment to the Vavuniya Hospital, according to Tamil Net. "We have been very clear that any individual who wishes to leave the combat zone has an individual right to move anywhere. We have not imposed any restriction on individuals. But, we will not be organising any 'organised exodus' against the collective will of the people who have sought refuge away from a genocidal military," he said, adding, "We are urging responsible top officials of the UN and other international agencies to immediately visit the 'safety zone' and to obtain the views of the civilians and make independent assessment of the needs and concerns of the civilians."
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January - 30 
All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finalized its report recommending a power devolution formula to solve the ethnic conflict, the Government announced. APRC chairman and Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana said all 13 parties in the APRC attended the final meeting. An interim report based on t
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All Party Representative Committee (APRC) has finalized its report recommending a power devolution formula to solve the ethnic conflict, the Government announced. APRC chairman and Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana said all 13 parties in the APRC attended the final meeting. An interim report based on the consensus reached so far between the parties has been handed over to the party representatives for observations and suggestions. Once the report is finalized by the 13 parties it will be handed over to the President. Despite failing to reach an agreement over the character of the state in the proposed devolution package, the parties have reportedly agreed to abolish the concurrent list, and introduce two lists outlining powers to be vested in the provincial councils and the central Government. The APRC was mandated by the President in 2006 to prepare a set of proposals that would be the basis for a solution to the conflict.
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January - 30 
Government rejected calls for a cease-fire with the LTTE and vowed to continue the military operations until the North is completely liberated. Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in a press briefing, "There will be no cease-fire. We will continue with our militar
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Government rejected calls for a cease-fire with the LTTE and vowed to continue the military operations until the North is completely liberated. Human Rights and Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said in a press briefing, "There will be no cease-fire. We will continue with our military operations and we will continue to liberate areas which had not been liberated so far. We are determined to eradicate terrorism in Sri Lanka.'' Earlier, on January 29, President Mahinda Rajapakse urged the LTTE to release the civilians within 48 hours and allow them to move to safety in the Government-controlled areas. The Government has set up a special no-fire zone in the LTTE-held area. However, the LTTE stressed that only a permanent cease-fire would resolve the conflict. "Only a permanent cease-fire mooted by the international community and negotiations followed by it would resolve the conflict as envisaged by the Tamil people and the LTTE," the outfit’s political leader, B. Nadesan, was quoted as saying by the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net on January 29.
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February - 1 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that troops advancing further into the LTTE-held areas in Mullaitivu made steady progress within the past two days with the 59th Division and 55th Division destroying heavily fortified LTTE defence lines in Puthukuduiruppu south and Chundikulam sou
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Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that troops advancing further into the LTTE-held areas in Mullaitivu made steady progress within the past two days with the 59th Division and 55th Division destroying heavily fortified LTTE defence lines in Puthukuduiruppu south and Chundikulam south, reported Daily News. Security Forces (SFs) operating in the West of Nanthikadal lagoon stormed the LTTE’s heavily fortified defence south of Puthukkudiyiruppu on January 31, while 55th division troops stormed LTTE’s heavily fortified defence line in Chundikulam on February 1. However, he did not give casualty figure on either side.
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February - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse renewing his call to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on February 1 urged them to surrender or face the danger of being captured by the Armed Forces, reports Daily News. The President opined that if the militants surrendered to the Armed Forces as their last av
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President Mahinda Rajapakse renewing his call to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on February 1 urged them to surrender or face the danger of being captured by the Armed Forces, reports Daily News. The President opined that if the militants surrendered to the Armed Forces as their last available option now they would be readily accepted and humanely treated, similar to their colleagues who had surrendered in the East. Rajapakse also stated that he was repeatedly making this call to the militants on the basis that the operations carried out by the Security Forces were irreversible and irrevocable. “We have amply shown to the world, the manner as envisioned in the Mahinda Chinthana how my Government envisages to rejuvenate the country”, he said. Meanwhile, the 48-hour truce period the President had offered to the LTTE to allow stranded civilians to move into safe areas expired in the night of January 31 but the LTTE continue to hold the people ignoring the ultimatum, according to Colombo Page. "LTTE terrorists violating the objective of the safe area, moved heavy artillery batteries and mortar guns over civilians endangering their safety also attempting to draw civilian casualties in a military retaliation," the Defence Ministry said. Defence sources said the LTTE is manning a forward defence line in the outer perimeters of the Safe Zone and they have also “cluttered” the area with land mines to prevent civilians from reaching the Government-controlled territory. The United Nations estimates some 250,000 civilians are trapped in the battlefield now limited to an area of less than 300 square kilometers in the northeast jungles. The Sri Lanka Government said that it couldn't go for a power sharing solution for the country's ethnic issue vanquishing the 13th amendment of the constitution. Speaking to the press, Media Minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardena said if it wants to grant a power sharing solution for the North and East over the 13th amendment the Government needs the support of the main opposition United National Party and other political parties. The Minister said that the Government has openly invited all the parties to submit their proposals on a power sharing solution. The 13th amendment to the Sri Lankan constitution recommended establishing provincial councils as the unit for power devolution according to the devolution provisions of the Indo-Lanka Accord, signed in July 1987 by then President J.R. Jayewardene and former Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi.
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February - 1 February - 6
More than 1000 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in the intense fighting in the Mullaittivu District since February 1, the pro—LTTE Website Tamil Net quoted LTTE sources as saying on February 6. Hundreds of SLA crack commandos were drawn into Mannakandal and Keappaapulavu 'boxes' and were cu
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More than 1000 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in the intense fighting in the Mullaittivu District since February 1, the pro—LTTE Website Tamil Net quoted LTTE sources as saying on February 6. Hundreds of SLA crack commandos were drawn into Mannakandal and Keappaapulavu 'boxes' and were cut off from their rear supplies during a pre-emptive strike by the LTTE, resulting in the death of these soldiers. An arms storage, which was full of weapons as the SLA was in full preparation to launch its 'final assault' on Puthukkudyiruppu was also seized by the LTTE commandos engaged in the pre-emptive strike, the report added. The sources further revealed that there were at least 20 mortars, thousands of shells, several hundreds of assault rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), RPG launchers and a conservative estimate of one million rounds were among the arms and ammunitions seized. The LTTE had emptied the store of stockpiled arms and ammunitions by the time the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed the location of its own arsenal, sources added further.
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February - 2 
President Mahinda Rajapakse declared on February 2 that the Army is on the verge of crushing the LTTE after a 25-year war, according to Associated Press. "The strongholds of terror once believed to be invincible ... have fallen in rapid succession, bringing the final elimination of terror from our m
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President Mahinda Rajapakse declared on February 2 that the Army is on the verge of crushing the LTTE after a 25-year war, according to Associated Press. "The strongholds of terror once believed to be invincible ... have fallen in rapid succession, bringing the final elimination of terror from our motherland and the dawn of true freedom to all our people well within our reach," Rajapakse said in a message to mark the 61st Independence Day that will be celebrated on February 4.
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February - 3 
At least 52 civilians were killed when the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital in Mullaitivu District was shelled in the evening of February 3 for the fourth consecutive day, this time by a cluster bomb, forcing authorities to evacuate patients from one of the last functioning medical facilities in the war z
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At least 52 civilians were killed when the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital in Mullaitivu District was shelled in the evening of February 3 for the fourth consecutive day, this time by a cluster bomb, forcing authorities to evacuate patients from one of the last functioning medical facilities in the war zone, said United Nations (UN), according to Rediff.com. "We have a confirmed report that 52 civilians have been killed in a shell attack at Suranthapuram (in Wanni region) on Tuesday evening," UN spokesman Gordon Weiss said, adding that it was not known who was responsible for the attack.
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February - 3 
Colombo Page reports that the Government has taken measures to establish four more welfare villages in Vavuniya and Adampan areas for the IDPs coming from Wanni and Mannar. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, the Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rizard Bathiyutheen said the
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Colombo Page reports that the Government has taken measures to establish four more welfare villages in Vavuniya and Adampan areas for the IDPs coming from Wanni and Mannar. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, the Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Minister Rizard Bathiyutheen said the Government has already commenced basic activities of the four villages. According to Government statistics, 113,731 civilians are still under LTTE control in Mullaitivu District although aid agencies claim a higher number.
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February - 3 
The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, United States and the European Union) have reportedly admitted to their failure to persuade the LTTE to allow civilians freedom of movement. In a press release issued on February 3, the Co-Chairs called on the LTTE to discuss with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL
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The Tokyo Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, United States and the European Union) have reportedly admitted to their failure to persuade the LTTE to allow civilians freedom of movement. In a press release issued on February 3, the Co-Chairs called on the LTTE to discuss with the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) the modalities for ending hostilities, including the laying down of arms, renunciation of violence, acceptance of the Government of Sri Lanka’s offer of amnesty; and participating as a political party in a process to achieve a just and lasting political solution; and call on the GoSL and the LTTE to declare a temporary no-fire period to allow for evacuation of sick and wounded, and provision of aid to civilians. “International efforts to persuade the LTTE to allow the civilians freedom of movement have failed. There remains probably only a short period of time before the LTTE loses control of all areas in the North. The LTTE and the GoSL should recognise that further loss of life-of civilians and combatants - will serve no cause, the release said. The Co-Chairs, India, the United Nations and others will work with the GoSL, to ensure the internally displaced people from the North are transferred to temporary camps where UN agencies, the ICRC, and humanitarian organisations will have full access and the IDPs will be treated according to international, standards and re-settled in their original homes as soon as possible; and an inclusive dialogue to agree on a political settlement so that lasting peace and reconciliation can be achieved”, the release said.
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February - 4 
In his speech during the 61st Independence Day celebrations on February 4, President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would be 'decisively' defeated in the next few days, according to Rediff.com. "I am confident that in a few days we will decisively defeat
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In his speech during the 61st Independence Day celebrations on February 4, President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) would be 'decisively' defeated in the next few days, according to Rediff.com. "I am confident that in a few days we will decisively defeat the terrorist force that many repeatedly kept saying was invincible. Shadows of terrorism have almost been wiped out," Rajapakse noted.
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February - 4 
The Sri Lanka Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) appealed for a “temporary no-fire period” in Sri Lanka in a statement which also called on the LTTE to discuss with the Sri Lankan Government the modalities for ending hostilities, including laying down of arms, renunciation of violence, acceptance
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The Sri Lanka Co-Chairs (Norway, Japan, US and EU) appealed for a “temporary no-fire period” in Sri Lanka in a statement which also called on the LTTE to discuss with the Sri Lankan Government the modalities for ending hostilities, including laying down of arms, renunciation of violence, acceptance of the Government’s offer of amnesty and participation as a political party in a process to achieve a just and lasting political solution. It urged the Government and the LTTE to declare a temporary no-fire period to allow evacuation of the sick and wounded and providing aid to civilians. Responding to the Co-Chairs statement, the pro-LTTE party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) said it was the need to resist the physical subjugation of the Tamil people by the Sri Lankan state that led to the “advent of Tamil armed resistance and it is only the LTTE that is resisting the aforementioned genocidal designs of the Sri Lanka State”. The TNA argued that it had been the consistent position of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka that the “conflict between the Tamil nation and the Sinhala nation” is fundamentally political in nature and needs a political solution.
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February - 4 
The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband, in a joint statement released in Colombo, said they had discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and affirmed their insistence on a political resolution to the conflict, rep
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The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Miliband, in a joint statement released in Colombo, said they had discussed the deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka and affirmed their insistence on a political resolution to the conflict, reports The Hindu. “The time to resume political discussions is now and we will continue to work with the Tokyo Co-Chairs, the Sri Lankan government, and the UN to facilitate such a process. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Secretary Miliband call on both the Government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE to agree to a temporary no-fire period. Both sides need to allow civilians and wounded to leave the conflict area and to grant access for humanitarian agencies,” the statement said.
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February - 4 
Xinhua reports that the Norwegian Government said that it had urged the LTTE to negotiate with the Sri Lankan Government for a cease-fire. "In order to protect thousands of civilians caught in the war zone, Norway has asked the LTTE guerrillas (Tamil Tigers) to contact the central Sri Lanka governme
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Xinhua reports that the Norwegian Government said that it had urged the LTTE to negotiate with the Sri Lankan Government for a cease-fire. "In order to protect thousands of civilians caught in the war zone, Norway has asked the LTTE guerrillas (Tamil Tigers) to contact the central Sri Lanka government. This is now a precarious situation with many tens of casualties every day. We must avoid more civilian sufferings," Erik Solheim, Norway's Minister of International Development, was quoted as saying by the Norwegian online newspaper The Norway Post. He said that Norway has therefore joined the European Union (EU), United States (US) and Japan in a joint statement where they asked the two sides to stop fighting and negotiate a solution based on the LTTE ending its warfare and moving on to the use of political means.
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February - 4 February - 5
Colombo Page reports that the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital which was closed on February 4 due to shelling has been relocated to Puthumalan, a location closer to the coastal area in Mullaitivu District, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) said. The ICRC spokesperson, Sarasi Wijeratne, said
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Colombo Page reports that the Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital which was closed on February 4 due to shelling has been relocated to Puthumalan, a location closer to the coastal area in Mullaitivu District, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) said. The ICRC spokesperson, Sarasi Wijeratne, said the hospital was relocated to the new place with some 300 patients and the medical staff by February 4-evening.
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February - 5 
Australia on February 5 expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the conflict affected northern Sri Lanka and said it is contributing an additional $5 million in humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians. Australia will deliver this assistance through the International
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Australia on February 5 expressed concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the conflict affected northern Sri Lanka and said it is contributing an additional $5 million in humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians. Australia will deliver this assistance through the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and non-governmental organizations, the Australian Foreign Ministry said. The Australian Government while calling on all those involved in the fighting to make protecting civilians an absolute priority urged the Sri Lankan Government and LTTE to declare a temporary no-fire period to allow for the evacuation of civilians. Issuing a statement the Foreign Minister's office especially urged the Sri Lankan community in Australia to pressure the LTTE to allow the civilians to leave. "We also call on the Sri Lankan community in Australia to add its weight to this call to help ensure that civilian life is protected," the Foreign Ministry said. Welcoming the calls by the Donor Co-Chair countries asking the LTTE to lay down arms and end hostilities, the Foreign Ministry said Australia reiterates the need for a political solution in Sri Lanka.
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February - 5 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament on February 5 that under no circumstance will the Government suspend the ongoing military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) until they are completely neutralised, Daily News reports. Speaking during the Emergency de
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told Parliament on February 5 that under no circumstance will the Government suspend the ongoing military operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) until they are completely neutralised, Daily News reports. Speaking during the Emergency debate, the Prime Minister said, “… Therefore, no force has the power to stop the moves taken by the Government to eradicate terrorism.” The Prime Minister also said the Government is ready to welcome anybody who is willing to enter mainstream politics by laying down their weapons. The Parliament passed the State of Emergency for another month with a majority of 54 votes. Nearly 1,000 civilians arrived in Tharmapuram and Visuamadu after fleeing from the LTTE in Mullaitivu during the past 48 hours. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said over 700 civilians fleeing from the LTTE controlled areas sought protection from troops of the 58th division consolidating their positions in Tharmapuram and Visuamadu on February 5. He said the arrival of civilians had increased considerably. “There were children, elderly people and women among the 700 civilians who arrived from Mullaitivu. Civilians taking a risk crossed the uncleared area and reached the safety zone”, he added. Over 264 civilians had reached Tharmapuram and Visuamadu on February 4.
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February - 6 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Daily News that it is unfortunate that spokesmen for INGOs, UN Agencies and other organizations hide most important facts when commenting on the plight of civilians in the Wanni. “The Government has demarcated an area equal to half the total area still to b
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Daily News that it is unfortunate that spokesmen for INGOs, UN Agencies and other organizations hide most important facts when commenting on the plight of civilians in the Wanni. “The Government has demarcated an area equal to half the total area still to be cleared as a No fire zone and it is the LTTE that is keeping the civilians by force without allowing them to enter that zone. This is the main factor which these spokesperson hide,” added the Defence Secretary. “There is a well orchestrated campaign to discredit the Government and the Security Forces and bring pressure on it to declare a ceasefire by LTTE agents who have infiltrated international organizations and media institutions over a period of time. Referring to a statement made by these spokesmen alleging the Security Forces of using cluster bombs on civilian targets, he said that Sri Lanka does not have cluster bombs and questioned who is producing such weapons. The blame should go to those who produce and use such weapons and not to Sri Lanka who has not acquired them,” he added. Those who are in the pay books of the LTTE are fabricating stories to invent a scenario of a human catastrophe and are disseminating false information. For example, exaggerated figures of the number of civilians are given when the actual figures are much lower, he said. According to the Census of 2002 there was only a population of 208,000 in the Mullaittivu District and over 60,000 of them are now living in Colombo. A similar number resides in other areas such as Vavuniya, Anuradhapura and the Central Province. The actual number of civilians trapped in the Wanni is less than 100,000. A recent estimate provided by the Government Agent confirms this, the Defence Secretary explained. The Defence Secretary appealed to the media and to all who are interested in the plight of civilians to tell the whole truth and not hide the main fact of the LTTE keeping them hostage.
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February - 6 
Sri Lanka Army said that the LTTE is now restricted to only 172 square kilometres of land in the Mullaittivu District. Speaking at a press briefing held in Colombo military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that all the Army divisions are now carrying out their operations based on one map.
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Sri Lanka Army said that the LTTE is now restricted to only 172 square kilometres of land in the Mullaittivu District. Speaking at a press briefing held in Colombo military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that all the Army divisions are now carrying out their operations based on one map. The forces are pounding the LTTE to limited areas day by day, the military spokesman further said. Following the capture of 17 Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) camps from Selawathura on the Western coast to Pooneryn and nine Sea Tiger camps from Nagerkowil and Kokakuthudu on the Eastern coast, the entire Sea Tiger power has been destroyed, military spokesman said. Brigadier Nanayakkara said that 6,590 civilians have safely reached the Government controlled areas since January 1. According to the spokesman, 3,848 persons in January 2009 and 2,472 in February, including 1,637 on February 5 and 600 on February 6, have arrived in the cleared areas (area under Government control) of Dharmapuram and Visuamadu areas and sought refuge.
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February - 6 
Sri Lanka defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on February 6 said that only about 700 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants remain in the outfit’s force now, according to Colombo Page. The Defence Spokesman denied that 200,000 civilians are trapped in the territory of now shru
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Sri Lanka defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on February 6 said that only about 700 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants remain in the outfit’s force now, according to Colombo Page. The Defence Spokesman denied that 200,000 civilians are trapped in the territory of now shrunk to about 160 square kilometres, 40 per cent of which has been cleared a no war zone throughout the period of conflict.
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February - 6 
Troops overran the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘Radha Regiment’ headquarters at Visuamadu in the morning of February 6, reports Sri Lanka Army. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the ‘Radha Regiment’ was i
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Troops overran the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) ‘Radha Regiment’ headquarters at Visuamadu in the morning of February 6, reports Sri Lanka Army. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the ‘Radha Regiment’ was in Theravilkulam, along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu (A-35) main road. “This base was considered to be a main training and operational facility of the LTTE. Training had been conducted especially for the LTTE’s ‘Victor Anti Tank unit’, a sub unit of the ‘Radha Regiment’. They were responsible for providing security to LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran and its Air Force wing,” he added. Brigadier Nanayakkara noted that facing heavy fire from troops, LTTE cadres fled the area without even taking their flag and equipment. “The LTTE’s so called ‘elite regiment’ had fled leaving the dead and a haul of weapons. The ‘Radha Regiment’ is led by a senior LTTE cadre identified as Ratnam,” he further added.
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February - 7 
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told his Danish counterpart Per Stig Moller that Colombo stood for a pluralistic society and devolution of powers from the centre to the periphery would be offered within democratic framework. A “devolution package” would be worked out for the north within a demo
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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told his Danish counterpart Per Stig Moller that Colombo stood for a pluralistic society and devolution of powers from the centre to the periphery would be offered within democratic framework. A “devolution package” would be worked out for the north within a democratic framework as the security and welfare of the civilians is of “paramount importance” to the Government.
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February - 9 
The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) party and Member of Parliament, Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, has said that he will join the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in the near future, Colombo Page reports. Making a special statement to the m
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The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) party and Member of Parliament, Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, has said that he will join the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) in the near future, Colombo Page reports. Making a special statement to the media, Karuna said that he will obtain the SLFP membership within the next three weeks. He could convert all offices of his political party in the Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara Districts as SLFP offices after obtaining the membership in the ruling party. He claimed that the Eastern Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan will be alone in the TMVP following his crossover as a large number of party supporters are getting ready to join with SLFP.
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February - 9 
The Sri Lankan Government told a high-level United Nations delegation in Colombo on February 9 that the LTTE maintains a hostile approach towards the exodus of civilians from the Wanni region and the casualties caused by it is under-reported, reports Rediff.com. "The surge of civilians leaving the c
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The Sri Lankan Government told a high-level United Nations delegation in Colombo on February 9 that the LTTE maintains a hostile approach towards the exodus of civilians from the Wanni region and the casualties caused by it is under-reported, reports Rediff.com. "The surge of civilians leaving the conflict zone, numbering in excess of 20,000, is encouraging even though the LTTE regrettably maintains a hostile approach on the exodus of civilians," Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said.
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February - 10 
The Government has asked all parties, including United Nations aid agencies, providing relief supplies to refugees in Wanni to ensure that they operate within the framework approved by the Government. The move follows the grossly exaggerated estimates of population living in the LTTE-controlled area
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The Government has asked all parties, including United Nations aid agencies, providing relief supplies to refugees in Wanni to ensure that they operate within the framework approved by the Government. The move follows the grossly exaggerated estimates of population living in the LTTE-controlled areas by human rights and aid agencies. The Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, said that it had come to the Government's notice that the count of 20,000 families in Kilinochchi has been duplicated. According to the Red Cross, about 250,000 Tamil civilians are trapped in Wanni and that they needed protection - a figure that Colombo disputes. The Government estimates the total number of persons living in Wanni at about 120,000 out of which 17,000 have escaped to the Government-controlled areas in February alone. "We do not want to go into figures but they are grossly exaggerated," Samarasinghe said, adding, "The organizations have to ensure that they operate within a framework which we put forward. These conditions apply to the World Food Program as well." He said the Government was committed to providing relief to the civilians in LTTE "captivity" as well. "The government has provided about 38,000 metric tons of food to the displaced people of Wanni since October besides 8,000 tons by the WFP," he said.
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February - 10 
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to be invited to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) which is expected to soon complete deliberations towards a future power sharing mechanism for Sri Lanka, the All Party Representative committee (APRC)
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The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to be invited to the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) which is expected to soon complete deliberations towards a future power sharing mechanism for Sri Lanka, the All Party Representative committee (APRC) Chairman Tissa Vitharana said, according to Daily News. He said: "I feel that the TNA should now realise the genuine needs and aspirations of Tamils should be expressed, not just the needs of the LTTE.” With the emerging developments in the North, Vitharana said the TNA should play a more positive role towards finding a permanent political solution. He said a formal invitation will be despatched inviting the TNA to take part in deliberations.
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February - 10 
The Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan blamed the Government over lack of attention to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), reports Colombo Page. The Chief Minister said that although eight months have passed since his election to the EPC he was not granted
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The Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan blamed the Government over lack of attention to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), reports Colombo Page. The Chief Minister said that although eight months have passed since his election to the EPC he was not granted permission to do any development work in the province by the central Government. According to him, the peace secretariat established to develop national unity in the Eastern region was also not granted permission for any legal activity.
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February - 11 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran will soon have to "pay" for attacking various religious places in the island nation in the past 25 years, reports Express Buzz. "Prabhakaran will have to pay for carrying out attacks on religious places, including Dalada Mal
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran will soon have to "pay" for attacking various religious places in the island nation in the past 25 years, reports Express Buzz. "Prabhakaran will have to pay for carrying out attacks on religious places, including Dalada Maligawa or The Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic," Rajapakse told an election rally in Kandy, 115 kilometres from capital Colombo.
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February - 11 
The Government on February 11 said that over 32,500 civilians out of the total population of 113, 832 in the Mullaitivu District have fled the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) and sought protection with the Security Forces, reported Daily News. Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywa
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The Government on February 11 said that over 32,500 civilians out of the total population of 113, 832 in the Mullaitivu District have fled the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) and sought protection with the Security Forces, reported Daily News. Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said 6,000 civilians have arrived per day in cleared areas (area under Government control) since last week and the Government has launched a comprehensive programme to ensure their safety and welfare. The Minister said the number of civilians coming to cleared areas have seen a drastic rise since last week despite a series of attacks by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). These civilians, initially accommodated at temporary camps, are taken to welfare villages where all facilities have been made available for them within two days, the Minister said. Meanwhile, the Government has allocated another SLR 50 million to provide necessary facilities to fleeing civilians in the Northern part of the country, Colombo Page adds. The LTTE, which has been disappointed with the way the exodus of civilians fleeing from the LTTE-held area, have forced the civilians to go further North East of Puthukuduiruppu and South of Chalai in their bid to keep them under their control for a long period, military sources told Daily News. "The LTTE had pushed the civilians towards the Putumatalan area North East of Puthukuduyiruppu", military officials said.
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February - 11 
The United States (US) Department of Treasury on February 11 designated the Maryland-based Tamil Foundation as a front organization of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under Executive Order 13224 which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, Colo
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The United States (US) Department of Treasury on February 11 designated the Maryland-based Tamil Foundation as a front organization of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) under Executive Order 13224 which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism, Colombo Page reported. The Treasury Department announced that under the Executive Order, any assets the Tamil Foundation (TF) has under US jurisdiction are frozen, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with the TF. The head of the TF is also the president of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in the United States, which was banned in the US as a terrorist support group in November 2007. The statement said the TF and TRO have co-mingled funds and carried out coordinated financial actions for some time and the two organizations were linked through a matching gift programme facilitated by the common leadership of both. "The LTTE, like other terrorist groups, has relied on so-called charities to raise funds and advance its violent aims," said Adam J. Szubin, Director of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, adding, "We will continue to aggressively target attempts by any terrorist group to hide behind charities, front companies, or name changes to propagate terror against innocents around the world." The TF is reportedly registered and based at 517 E. Oldtown Road, Cumberland, MD 21502, with a Tax ID number of 52-1699409.
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February - 11 February - 12
The Security Forces (SFs) clashed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the Mullaitivu District killing at least 28 militants, the Defence ministry said on February 12, reports IANS. “Snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed shooting down 23 terrorists at various locat
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The Security Forces (SFs) clashed with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the Mullaitivu District killing at least 28 militants, the Defence ministry said on February 12, reports IANS. “Snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed shooting down 23 terrorists at various locations during daytime,” the ministry said, adding, five militants were killed in separate clashes. It said the troops captured a 'highly fortified' camp of the LTTE at Sinnavillu area on February 11 and recovered a large cache of weapons, including four 120-mm mortar guns and two 81-mm mortar guns, along with a couple of vehicles believed to have been used by the top LTTE leaders. It further said the 58th Division troops operating in the north of Paranthan-Mullaitivu (A-35) have made 'significant gains' on the battleground since last week.
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February - 12 
Security Forces in Wanni on February 12 declared a new Safe Zone demarcating 12 kilometers along on the western boundary of the Mullaitivu lagoon on humanitarian grounds to rescue civilians trapped by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Mullaitivu, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya
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Security Forces in Wanni on February 12 declared a new Safe Zone demarcating 12 kilometers along on the western boundary of the Mullaitivu lagoon on humanitarian grounds to rescue civilians trapped by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Mullaitivu, said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, according to Daily News. The 12 kilometers long strip, beginning from the northwest of Vadduvakal to the west, and north of Vadduvakal to the eastern coastal boundary, runs up to south of Palamattalan on the western side. On the coastal belt up to the extreme north, the eastern strip ends at the southeast of Palamattalan. The area between the northwest of Vadduvakal to the north of Vaddukal that touches the eastern sea boundary is about two kilometers in width and the extent at the northern end of the strip, touching Palamattalan area is about one kilometer in breadth. The entire un-cleared (area not under Government control) coastal area from the north of Vadduvakal in the demarcated zone includes villages, Vellaimullavaikkal, Karayamullivaikkal, Velayanmadam, Ampelavanpokkanai and Putumattalan in the 12 kilometers long strip. He said the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has already been informed of the new Safe Zone. In a response to the ICRC appealing to the Government and the LTTE to meet their obligation under international humanitarian law to spare the wounded, the sick, medical personnel, and medical facilities at all times, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Government is fully respecting and adhering to the international humanitarian law. “We do our fullest and every single effort to safeguard stranded civilians in the Wanni and bring them down to the safe zone amidst indiscriminate LTTE fire on civilians seeking protection with the Security Forces… The ICRC must go to the LTTE held areas and pressure the Tigers to release civilians to reach the Safe Zone,” he added.
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February - 12 
The Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) said it has begun to disarm its cadres in line with its recent policy. The Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan told Daily Mirror, “We have begun to disarm the cadres. There is no need for our cadres to have arms
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The Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) said it has begun to disarm its cadres in line with its recent policy. The Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP leader Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan told Daily Mirror, “We have begun to disarm the cadres. There is no need for our cadres to have arms now. We hope to complete the process soon,” adding, his cadres were now receiving vocational training and preparing for overseas employment. Chandrakanthan added that on par with other political parties, his party offices and cadres too had received Police protection due to the threats they had received by the LTTE. However, he added that such threats had become less in the past weeks due to the defeat of the LTTE in the North. He added that while most of the military wing had now disarmed, some of his political cadres would continue to hold weapons for self defence. He said that these cadres too would disarm later. Separately, he said civilians who fled the East due to the conflict are being resettled in a two stage process, adding, “We are first focusing on the people who fled from the recent fighting. After that we will look at the people who fled soon after the 1983 insurgency. All those who return will be taken care of and we will also look at inviting those who are in camps in India to come back.”
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February - 13 
Daily News reports that the Government has cancelled with immediate effect the radio transmission licence issued (on November 11, 2002) to the LTTE peace secretariat during the tenure of the cease-fire agreement. "Accordingly, in terms of powers vested in me, I have cancelled the licence effective f
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Daily News reports that the Government has cancelled with immediate effect the radio transmission licence issued (on November 11, 2002) to the LTTE peace secretariat during the tenure of the cease-fire agreement. "Accordingly, in terms of powers vested in me, I have cancelled the licence effective from January 17, 2009," Mass Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said on February 13. Permission had also been given to the LTTE for overseas transmission as well, the Minister added.
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February - 13 
Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that all front organizations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should be banned internationally to combat terrorism, Colombo Page reports. Making a special announcement, he stated that terrorism cannot be eradicated if the internatio
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Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has said that all front organizations of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) should be banned internationally to combat terrorism, Colombo Page reports. Making a special announcement, he stated that terrorism cannot be eradicated if the international front organizations that fund the LTTE in various forms continue to operate. He pointed out that some organizations in Canada, France and Belgium are still continuing to send funds to the LTTE. According to him, the Tamil Foundation, one such front organization in the US, was recently banned by the US Government as a result of a series of discussions between the two Governments.
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February - 15 
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse said his Government guarantees the safety of the civilians fleeing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas and reaching the Security Forces (SFs) or the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). In a telephone interview to Colombo Page on Febru
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Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse said his Government guarantees the safety of the civilians fleeing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas and reaching the Security Forces (SFs) or the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC). In a telephone interview to Colombo Page on February 15, the President urged the civilians to seek assistance of the SFs as all the necessary measures are in place to meet their needs with help from the ICRC and the UN aid agencies. Dismissing media reports that the Government is planning to keep the displaced civilians in camps for three years, Rajapakse said he has already given orders to relocate the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) as early as possible. He said the Government plans to resettle the IDPs in their original areas as soon as the captured areas are cleared of mines.
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February - 15 
The Government on February 15 claimed that only about 65,000 civilians remain in Mullaitivu and not 450,000 as stated by the LTTE. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation Minister Rishard Baduideen, addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the Information Department, said that the LTTE inflated the numb
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The Government on February 15 claimed that only about 65,000 civilians remain in Mullaitivu and not 450,000 as stated by the LTTE. The Resettlement and Rehabilitation Minister Rishard Baduideen, addressing the Cabinet press briefing at the Information Department, said that the LTTE inflated the number of civilians under its control to 450,000 to obtain more supplies of food and medicine from the Government. "In future we will send supplies for about 100,000 people." Those who came over from Mullaitivu on February 14 included 10 LTTE militants, he added.
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February - 15 
The LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Wanni and will continue to hold the innocent civilians until the military captures him, revealed two Black Tigers (cadres of the suicide wing of the LTTE) to the Army. In an interview with Sunday Observer, they said that Prabhakaran’s son Charles Ant
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The LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in Wanni and will continue to hold the innocent civilians until the military captures him, revealed two Black Tigers (cadres of the suicide wing of the LTTE) to the Army. In an interview with Sunday Observer, they said that Prabhakaran’s son Charles Anthony was commanding their forces with other prominent LTTE leaders like Banu and Lakshman. The two Black Tigers, in their twenties, had surrendered to the troops at Therumurukandy on January 28 after they failed to bomb the bund at Iranamadu Tank. Anthony and Soosai had briefed them on the mission for an underwater demolition on January 20, but they decided to surrender citing dissatisfaction with the ‘behaviour’ of the LTTE leadership. “The LTTE is abducting lots of children who are in their teens. They want to sacrifice civilians as common fodder. Sons and daughters of the LTTE leaders are living luxury lives,” said the duo.
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February - 16 
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations on February 16 said the LTTE continues to actively prevent civilians leaving and have shot and sometimes killed a growing number of people trying to leave the war zone. It also called on both the Army and LTTE to refrain from fighting in areas of civilian
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Colombo Page reports that the United Nations on February 16 said the LTTE continues to actively prevent civilians leaving and have shot and sometimes killed a growing number of people trying to leave the war zone. It also called on both the Army and LTTE to refrain from fighting in areas of civilian concentration.
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February - 16 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is planning to commit suicide along with hundreds of his hardcore followers at a beach in Mullaitivu District if the Sri Lankan armed forces close in on his last hideout, says Basil Rajapakse, Senior Advisor to the Sri Lankan
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is planning to commit suicide along with hundreds of his hardcore followers at a beach in Mullaitivu District if the Sri Lankan armed forces close in on his last hideout, says Basil Rajapakse, Senior Advisor to the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse, according to Express Buzz. Basil Rajapakse told The Sunday Times that there was “substantive” intelligence regarding a mass suicide bid by the LTTE leader and his followers. Prabhakaran was confident that many would join the mass sacrifice and it would be a public event to be video taped and shown to the Tamil Diaspora across the globe as the last heroic act of the only man who pledged his all to secure an independent state of ‘Eelam’ for the Tamils of Sri Lanka. Reports said that Prabhakaran had directed civilians to gather at an undisclosed beach in Mullaitivu District for this act of supreme sacrifice.
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February - 17 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said LTTE leaders are using civilians in the North as human shields as they cannot face the heavy attacks by the Security Forces in the final stage of the war, reported Colombo Page. In an interview with a foreign news agency, he said, "They will keep these civi
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said LTTE leaders are using civilians in the North as human shields as they cannot face the heavy attacks by the Security Forces in the final stage of the war, reported Colombo Page. In an interview with a foreign news agency, he said, "They will keep these civilians as a shield and then once they escape, they will just be let go." Reuters quoted him as saying that the LTTE leadership would seek political asylum after escaping via established human smuggling networks. “They can go to Australia, for example. Who knows Soosai or Pottu Amman might be there? You just give any name and say the Sri Lankan government burned my house and all those things, and you are there -- you are in Australia,” he said. He also said the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in the country and added that “he must be planning to go out with other leaders. They have not decided things -- whether to go, whether to remain here, whether to commit suicide.”
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February - 17 
Minister Dinesh Gunawardene told Parliament on February 17 that 60,088 families have been displaced in the Eastern Province due to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) activities, according to Daily News. Responding to a question by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Member of Parliament, Jinada
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Minister Dinesh Gunawardene told Parliament on February 17 that 60,088 families have been displaced in the Eastern Province due to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) activities, according to Daily News. Responding to a question by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Member of Parliament, Jinadasa Kitulagoda, the minister said the Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Ministry has set up 12 temporary camps in the Batticaloa District and three camps in Trincomalee District to settle the displaced families. 863 families have been settled in 12 temporary camps in the Batticaloa District while 706 families are in three camps in the Trincomalee District, he said. The Government has made arrangements to resettle the displaced families in their own villages within the first six months of this year, the minister added.
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February - 17 
The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and Member of Parliament, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, has quit the party. Karuna told Daily Mirror that he and some senior leaders had quit the TMVP and would hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse next
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The founder of the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and Member of Parliament, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, has quit the party. Karuna told Daily Mirror that he and some senior leaders had quit the TMVP and would hold talks with President Mahinda Rajapakse next week to join the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). “I have quit the TMVP along with a lot of other members. We no longer identify ourselves with it. Instead we are waiting to join the SLFP and as soon as we get permission from the President, we will convert all our TMVP offices to SLFP offices,” Karuna said. He said with most of the TMVP senior members supporting him, the only ones left in the TMVP were Pillayan and a few of his supporters. However, the TMVP dismissed reports that other members, apart from Karuna, had left the party. The party also said it had met on February 16 to discuss Karuna’s failure to show cause over his comments on some of the TMVP members and had decided to remove him from the party. TMVP spokesperson Azath Maulana told Daily Mirror that with Karuna’s chances to show cause expiring, he has been removed from the party with immediate effect. However, TMVP General Secretary, A. Kailesvararajah, said the party’s Central Committee will meet on February 18 (today) and take a final decision on the future course of action to be taken against Karuna.
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February - 17 
The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party said on February 17 that the Government should go for a cease-fire with the LTTE. Speaking at a special press briefing, TNA leader and Member of Parliament, R. Sampanthan, said if the Government wants to get the civilians released from the LTTE-held a
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The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party said on February 17 that the Government should go for a cease-fire with the LTTE. Speaking at a special press briefing, TNA leader and Member of Parliament, R. Sampanthan, said if the Government wants to get the civilians released from the LTTE-held areas then they should go for a cease-fire. He claimed that nearly 350,000 civilians are still trapped in the outfit held areas of Mullaitivu. The Government estimates the number to be about 100,000 while the aid agencies put the figure at 250,000. The parliamentarian also claimed that nearly 2,000 innocent civilians have been killed and another 4,500 injured since December 2008.
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February - 18 
The Sri Lanka Government on February 18 reiterated its stance of no cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rejecting the fresh calls for a truce, according to Colombo Page. Responding to the February 17 cease-fire appeal made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Minister Keheli
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The Sri Lanka Government on February 18 reiterated its stance of no cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rejecting the fresh calls for a truce, according to Colombo Page. Responding to the February 17 cease-fire appeal made by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said at a press briefing in Colombo that the Government has taken a policy decision to completely neutralise terrorism. Describing the truce demand as "laughable," he said, "There will be no ceasefire with the LTTE.” The LTTE had reportedly ignored a Government call to allow the civilian’s safe passage out of the outfit held areas during a 48-hour cease-fire period declared by the Government on January 29.
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February - 19 
Addressing a press briefing following a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka on February 19, the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir John Holmes, urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to allow free movement
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Addressing a press briefing following a meeting with the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka on February 19, the United Nations (UN) Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Sir John Holmes, urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to allow free movement of civilians caught in the crossfire between the Government troops and the LTTE in the north, according to Colombo Page. "We have great concerns about the fate of civilians trapped in Wanni region," he said, adding, the UN called on both sides to respect the international humanitarian law and do everything possible to ensure the free movement of civilians to reach safety. The UN will also provide assistance in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process of the North and East, he stated.
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February - 20 
The newly formed Task Force-VIII operating under the troops of 58th division found a LTTE underground three storeyed complex which was covered by camouflage nets in the area west of Puthukkudiyiruppu. “The underground complex had been surrounded by steel plated posts. The Tiger cadres also kept watc
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The newly formed Task Force-VIII operating under the troops of 58th division found a LTTE underground three storeyed complex which was covered by camouflage nets in the area west of Puthukkudiyiruppu. “The underground complex had been surrounded by steel plated posts. The Tiger cadres also kept watch dogs to guard the area. Troops found three secret roads leading to the deep underground complex”, Brigadier Nanayakkara told Daily News.
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February - 22 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the number of civilians remaining in the clutches of the LTTE is only 70,000, reports Colombo Page. Speaking to the media, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said nearly 35,800 civilians have left the conflict areas in Mullaitivu and arrived at Vavuniya s
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Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the number of civilians remaining in the clutches of the LTTE is only 70,000, reports Colombo Page. Speaking to the media, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said nearly 35,800 civilians have left the conflict areas in Mullaitivu and arrived at Vavuniya since January 1, 2009. According to the military spokesman, some others have arrived at Jaffna by boats. Brigadier Nanayakkara said there are only 78 square kilometers to be liberated from the LTTE, including an area of 22 square kilometers reserved as a 'safety zone' for civilians. He said only three platoons, 53rd Division, 58th Division and the Task Force-IV of the Sri Lanka Army are conducting operations close to the Puthukkudiyiruppu junction as they need to liberate only a very limited area.
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February - 22 
Sunday Times reports that Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman has put forward three main conditions, including the halt of government-sponsored colonization programmes in the Eastern Province, before he joins the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). An u
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Sunday Times reports that Member of Parliament Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman has put forward three main conditions, including the halt of government-sponsored colonization programmes in the Eastern Province, before he joins the ruling Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). An understanding between Karuna and President Mahinda Rajapakse has been reached, Karuna’s aide Tachchinamoorthy Kamalanathan said. In terms of the deal, any colonization programme should be in keeping with the pre-1983 ethnic ratio of the province, he said. The formation of a separate administrative unit in the East for the Tamils and Muslims under the 13th Amendment has also been agreed upon, he added. The Minister and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) General Secretary Susil Premajayantha said Karuna had promised to register with the SLFP as many as 2,000 members, including some former fighters. He said that some of them would soon be appointed as district organizers in the east. The third major factor in the agreement relates to the Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) members joining the Security Forces. A few days ago, some 250 former TMVP cadres joined the army, the report added.
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February - 23 
Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella described as hilarious the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) latest attempt to call for a truce and pleading for a cease-fire to the United Nations (UN) at a time when the outfit is all but defeated militarily. Referring to the letter s
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Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella described as hilarious the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) latest attempt to call for a truce and pleading for a cease-fire to the United Nations (UN) at a time when the outfit is all but defeated militarily. Referring to the letter sent by the LTTE’s political wing leader B. Nadesan to the UN, he said Nadesan in the first place has to understand what a ceasefire is. "It's hilarious. The country and the world are quite aware of the nature of the LTTE. It is a ploy used by the LTTE over two decades when it is about to be militarily defeated. Every time the LTTE is on the verge of defeat militarily and losing weapons and equipment, then it calls a truce," Minister Rambukwella told Daily News. Minister Rambukwella calling the LTTE to surrender urged them to release all civilians held in captivity by it. "We call on the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender. There will be no ceasefire until terrorism is defeated. Therefore, calling for a ceasefire at this juncture is hilarious," he added. The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a halt to fighting between Sri Lankan Government forces and the LTTE to allow civilians to flee and for political talks to try and end the 25-year conflict, The Hindu reported. Ban told reporters that the UN deplores the increasing casualty toll among civilians trapped in intense fighting between the Government and the LTTE in north-eastern Sri Lanka. "The UN ... would strongly support a suspension of fighting for the purpose of allowing safe passage of the civilian population trying to flee the conflict," the secretary-general said. "There is an urgent need to bring this conflict to an end without any further unnecessary loss of civilian life and destruction of Sri Lankan society. The United Nations renews its call on all sides to pursue serious efforts toward political discussion to achieve an orderly end to the conflict, “he added.
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February - 23 
Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told Daily Mirror that around 250 LTTE cadres have so far arrived in the cleared areas (area under Government control) during the past few weeks and surrendered to the military. He said that these cadres had owned up themselves as LT
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Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe told Daily Mirror that around 250 LTTE cadres have so far arrived in the cleared areas (area under Government control) during the past few weeks and surrendered to the military. He said that these cadres had owned up themselves as LTTE cadres. Meanwhile, Army Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that 20 of them identified as hardcore fighters were referred to the rehabilitation centres after a screening process. The Brigadier said the existing ones were at the welfare centres with the other internally displaced persons. “We are giving prominence to the hardcore fighters when rehabilitating. There are young men and women among these surrendered members. They have admitted that they served the organisation for a long time,” he added.
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February - 23 
Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that contrary to certain reports in the international media, no cease-fire call has been made by the United Nations (UN), reported Daily News. He said the UN has not officially informed him of any such call for a cease-fire. At a media briefing in Ne
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Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that contrary to certain reports in the international media, no cease-fire call has been made by the United Nations (UN), reported Daily News. He said the UN has not officially informed him of any such call for a cease-fire. At a media briefing in New York on February 23 the UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki-moon had only stated that he was in support of a ‘suspension of fighting for the purpose of allowing safe passage of the civilian population, trying to flee the conflict’. "The intention of the Government too is to ensure these civilians are afforded safe passage. But these efforts have been greatly hampered, as the LTTE continues to hold civilians hostage and using them as a human shield," the Minister noted. "Restricting their freedom of movement in this manner is clearly a breach of international humanitarian law. This was also stated by UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Sir John Holmes during his recent visit to the country" the Minister added. The Minister also re-iterated that the stand taken by the Government on the cease-fire issue had not changed, and the LTTE had to lay down their arms.
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February - 23 
Government officials said that the LTTE's air power has almost collapsed after two outfit’s aircraft, which entered the Colombo sky to carry out a suicide mission, were destroyed by the SFs, officials said. "I do not think the LTTE has any more aircraft left. The two planes took off from a restricte
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Government officials said that the LTTE's air power has almost collapsed after two outfit’s aircraft, which entered the Colombo sky to carry out a suicide mission, were destroyed by the SFs, officials said. "I do not think the LTTE has any more aircraft left. The two planes took off from a restricted air strip in Puthukudirippu and came to Colombo through Mankulam and Mannar," the officials said, adding they were detected on time failing which the damage to Colombo could have been quite high. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said defence authorities had estimated the LTTE to have three aircraft of which one was destroyed a few months ago and the other two on February 20. The defence authorities had claimed that the Sri Lanka Air Force destroyed the first aircraft on September 9, 2008 when the LTTE carried out an air and ground attack on the air force base in Vavuniya.
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February - 24 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is not expected to surrender despite losing his de facto State and may instead try to flee by boat, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told AFP in an interview on February 24. He said that Prabhakaran could use a human smug
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is not expected to surrender despite losing his de facto State and may instead try to flee by boat, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told AFP in an interview on February 24. He said that Prabhakaran could use a human smuggling ring to escape by boat. "They can try to escape by boat although we have a big naval blockade. It is a difficult task, but there is a possibility they will be able to do it. He is still there (in the country). I don’t see why he should commit suicide or surrender. After fighting for over 30 years, I don’t think he will take the cyanide capsule, he will try to escape," he said. Rajapakse said the LTTE is preventing 70,000 civilians from leaving the narrow, 75-square-kilometre (28-square-mile) area still under their control to ensure no heavy weapons would be fired into the area, adding, "He (Prabhakaran) must be looking at human smuggling operations to get out of the country. That is a viable option for him. After Prabhakaran escapes with about 40 or 50 of his senior men, the Tigers will allow civilians to leave (the conflict zone)."
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February - 25 February - 27
At least 135 civilians were killed and several others wounded in continued military offensive in the Mullaitivu District during the past three days, the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net reported. While 60 civilians reportedly died in the bombing and artillery and mortar
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At least 135 civilians were killed and several others wounded in continued military offensive in the Mullaitivu District during the past three days, the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net reported. While 60 civilians reportedly died in the bombing and artillery and mortar attack on February 27, the number of civilians killed on February 25 and February 26 totalled 75. 18 of the victims on February 25 and two on February 26 were killed within the 'safety zone' in artillery shelling. The Website also claimed that a Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jet engaged in bombing civilian pockets at Aananthapuram and Chempankundu exploded on February 27. On February 26, the troops clashed with LTTE militants in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area of Mullaitivu District killing 14 of them, reports Daily News. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, “LTTE transmissions confirmed that 14 Tigers were killed and over 30 wounded during the clash. An LTTE ground commander known as Shankar who led the confrontation in Puthukkudiyiruppu area was killed.” In addition, an unspecified number of militants were killed during clashes between the two sides in Ampalavanpokkanai, Mulliyavalai, east Puthukkudiyiruppu, Chalai and Terumurikandi areas. Following the clashes at Ampalavanpokkanai, troops recovered the dead bodies of two militants along with eight 81-mm mortars, booby traps, 35 hand grenades, a T-56 assault riffle and an I-Com set, Nanayakkara added.
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February - 26 
Daily News reports that following fierce clashes, the SFs captured a suicide bomb factory and the hideout of Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) leader Soosai and also detected a swimming pool used by the LTTE leadership on February 25. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops in we
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Daily News reports that following fierce clashes, the SFs captured a suicide bomb factory and the hideout of Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) leader Soosai and also detected a swimming pool used by the LTTE leadership on February 25. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops in west Puthukkudiyiruppu captured a suicide bomb factory, adding, “It is believed that the Tigers used the location as a manufacturing yard for suicide bombs, claymore mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).” He said adjoining to the bomb manufacturing yard troops captured the Soosai’s hideout. “The bunker was severely damaged due to aerial bombing earlier. Out Boat Motors and many other equipment used by the Sea Tiger cadres were also found in the vicinity,” he added. In addition, the SFs detected a swimming pool, 50 feet long and 30 feet wide with its deep end over 7 feet in depth, and its surrounding fortifications following intense fighting.
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February - 26 
Editor of the Colombo-based Tamil newspaper Sudar Oli, N. Vidyatharan, was arrested by Police for questioning over a telephone conversation with regard to the LTTE air raid on Colombo on February 20, according to Daily News. The Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said on Februar
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Editor of the Colombo-based Tamil newspaper Sudar Oli, N. Vidyatharan, was arrested by Police for questioning over a telephone conversation with regard to the LTTE air raid on Colombo on February 20, according to Daily News. The Media and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said on February 26 that he is alleged to have helped the LTTE in its suicide air mission. Police said Vidyatharan’s telephone had been used to make a call to the LTTE in connection with the attack. If he has committed any offence, legal action will be taken against him and if not he would be released, the Minister added.
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February - 27 
Up to 85,000 civilians trapped in north-eastern Sri Lanka could flee the war zone in coming weeks as the Army closes in on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held territory, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on February 27, The Hindu reports. "Given the magnitud
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Up to 85,000 civilians trapped in north-eastern Sri Lanka could flee the war zone in coming weeks as the Army closes in on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held territory, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said on February 27, The Hindu reports. "Given the magnitude of the civilian population still trapped inside the LTTE-held territory and expected to flee into government-controlled areas as military operations advance further, UNHCR has requested the government of Sri Lanka to provide another 300 acres to bring the total potential reception capacity to 85,000 persons," the UNHCR spokesman William Spindler told a news briefing. The Sri Lankan Government has already allocated 300 acres of land where the UNHCR can receive up to 42,000 people by the end of next week, spokesman William Spindler said, citing the need to double the space to accommodate uprooted people in the region. Some 36,000 displaced civilians have already fled to Government-controlled areas of Vavuniya and Jaffna, according to the World Food Programme (WFP), which delivered 40 metric tonnes of food by tugboat to the northern Government-designated safe zone in the Wanni area on February 26. It was its first delivery in six weeks after WFP land convoys were interrupted by the fighting on January 16, WFP spokeswoman Emilia Casella said. The agency plans to deliver up to 300 metric tonnes of food per week, she said. Aid agencies estimate 200,000 people are trapped in a narrow 12-kilometres (7.5-mile) war zone on the north-eastern coast, where the military has cornered the LTTE.
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March - 1 
At least 10 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on March 1 when artillery shells fell inside a Government-designated "safe zone" in the Mullaitivu District, said Dr. Thurairaja Varatharajah, a health official, according to Associated Press. Varatharajah said six people died at a makeshift
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At least 10 civilians were killed and dozens more wounded on March 1 when artillery shells fell inside a Government-designated "safe zone" in the Mullaitivu District, said Dr. Thurairaja Varatharajah, a health official, according to Associated Press. Varatharajah said six people died at a makeshift hospital and he saw four more bodies scattered among the huts of displaced people. He said 48 wounded civilians, mostly suffering burns from the exploding shells, were also admitted to the hospital. It was unclear who fired the shells, Varatharajah said, however, adding that they appeared to have come from an area where Government forces are stationed.
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March - 1 
The Government once again urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to surrender to facilitate the safe exit of the Tamil civilians, according to Rediff.com. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told the media, "The LTTE must lay down arms so that there is no need for us to launch attacks on
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The Government once again urged the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to surrender to facilitate the safe exit of the Tamil civilians, according to Rediff.com. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told the media, "The LTTE must lay down arms so that there is no need for us to launch attacks on them. You can then have an open highway in terms of getting the civilians out of the clutches of the LTTE. This is what we have been telling the international community and the international community's call has now come on the LTTE to lay down arms." Talking about the recent visit of the United Nations Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Sir John Holmes, to Sri Lanka, the minister said, "Visit of Holmes has benefited Sri Lanka heavily because we were able to get the UN to speak in terms of what they saw in the country and that will be shared with the distinguished member-states of the Security Council. This is the major step that we have achieved and we must be grateful to the UN system and also to the members of the Security Council who have had the opportunity to discuss the matter though not on the agenda, as an informal discussion." He added, "Human corridors have been opened by us almost every day in order to see that the civilians would come. Because we were able to maintain that response in terms of human corridors that we were able to register over 32,000 IDPs coming from the LTTE areas during the last month through the government controlled areas."
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March - 4 
Army Chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka reportedly told his commanders to ensure the safety of civilians in the final battles to defeat the LTTE. The LTTE militants are mingling with civilians to try to carry out attacks, Fonseka said, adding, “Their ability for frontal fighting as before has d
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Army Chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka reportedly told his commanders to ensure the safety of civilians in the final battles to defeat the LTTE. The LTTE militants are mingling with civilians to try to carry out attacks, Fonseka said, adding, “Their ability for frontal fighting as before has drastically diminished and the terror outfit has been badly affected due to lack of manpower and replenishments.”
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March - 4 
The Government has no intention to go for a cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reiterated Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, according to Daily News. “Every time when the LTTE faced a severe set back, they spoke about a ceasefire. But the LTTE cannot mislead this Gove
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The Government has no intention to go for a cease-fire with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reiterated Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake, according to Daily News. “Every time when the LTTE faced a severe set back, they spoke about a ceasefire. But the LTTE cannot mislead this Government through such traps. Our Armed Forces have been able to reveal to the country how the LTTE terrorists were strengthened during the ceasefire period. If that trend continued, the entire country would have been in danger,” he told Parliament while on March 4. “The international observers have pointed out on many occasions that the LTTE had violated the ceasefire agreement. In this situation, how can we go for a ceasefire with the LTTE by further placing confidence on them? the Premier queried. The Prime Minister said the best opportunity has now been created to eradicate LTTE terrorism which threatened the country for the last three decades. The Parliament, meanwhile, passed State of Emergency for another month with a majority of 62 votes. The bill received 74 votes for it and only 12 against it. The Tamil National Alliance parliamentarians voted against it while the main opposition United National Party abstained from voting.
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March - 8 
Troops on March 8 foiled a few infiltration attempts by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants who are currently restricted to a small area between Puthukkudiyiruppu and Chalai in Mullaitivu District, according to the Sri Lanka Army. While the Army stated that nearly 100 LTTE milita
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Troops on March 8 foiled a few infiltration attempts by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants who are currently restricted to a small area between Puthukkudiyiruppu and Chalai in Mullaitivu District, according to the Sri Lanka Army. While the Army stated that nearly 100 LTTE militants have died and an unspecified number of them were wounded in the clashes, the Security Forces (SFs) subsequently recovered dead bodies of 50 militants, 111 T-56 weapons and some military hardware belonging to the LTTE.
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March - 15 
The Army said that it will continue with more recruitment drives as the operational areas are getting broadened. Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said while addressing an event in Ambepussa, "Army is gathering strength daily. Regarding the success of operations launched, the broadened operational area woul
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The Army said that it will continue with more recruitment drives as the operational areas are getting broadened. Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said while addressing an event in Ambepussa, "Army is gathering strength daily. Regarding the success of operations launched, the broadened operational area would enhance recruitments."
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March - 15 
Police authorities are to register all individuals from the Northern and the Eastern provinces staying in Colombo by March 17, reports Colombo Page. Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said all such people should register themselves with the nearest Police station if they had failed t
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Police authorities are to register all individuals from the Northern and the Eastern provinces staying in Colombo by March 17, reports Colombo Page. Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said all such people should register themselves with the nearest Police station if they had failed to do so earlier. The Spokesman said that after March 18, the Police will launch search operations to arrest those who refused to register.
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March - 15 
The Army reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still very much in the last remaining LTTE held areas in Puthukkudiyiruppu area of the Mullaitivu District. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Prabhakaran has not fled the country, but he is leading LT
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The Army reiterated that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still very much in the last remaining LTTE held areas in Puthukkudiyiruppu area of the Mullaitivu District. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said Prabhakaran has not fled the country, but he is leading LTTE activities from his hideout. The spokesman also said that the LTTE chief could be in an underground bunker, similar to bunkers discovered by the troops earlier. Earlier reports said that LTTE chief may have escaped from the country and other senior leaders are leading the battles.
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March - 15 
The Government has commenced its resettlement process in the recently liberated areas of the Northern region, P. S. M. Charles, District Secretary of Vavuniya, said on March 15, according to Colombo Page. During a special discussion held in Vavuniya, Charles confirmed they have received some request
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The Government has commenced its resettlement process in the recently liberated areas of the Northern region, P. S. M. Charles, District Secretary of Vavuniya, said on March 15, according to Colombo Page. During a special discussion held in Vavuniya, Charles confirmed they have received some requests from relatives of the elderly persons living in welfare centres to take them back to their homes. According to him, there are nearly 1,500 elderly persons, especially over 60 years of age, currently living with the fleeing civilians in welfare centres. Out of the total, 63 people have been given permission to return home along with their relatives. The District Secretary pointed out that this was the first phase of resettlement in the Northern region and the rest of the elderly persons are to be resettled gradually in the near future. A few weeks ago, the Government had announced that they hope to finalize the resettlement process in the North as soon as the area is cleared of land mines before the end of 2009.
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March - 16 
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (UN) on March 16 said the LTTE had forcibly recruited another of its local staff members and three dependents of his, including a 16-year-old girl. The UN said that the outfit had abducted these four persons during the weekend from the no-fire zone in nor
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Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (UN) on March 16 said the LTTE had forcibly recruited another of its local staff members and three dependents of his, including a 16-year-old girl. The UN said that the outfit had abducted these four persons during the weekend from the no-fire zone in north of Mullaitivu, declared by the Sri Lankan armed forces. "The UN in Sri Lanka has protested to the LTTE that UN national staff, as well as children in general, are protected under national and international law from recruitment by armed groups, and has called for their immediate release," the statement said. Two weeks ago another UN worker was forcibly recruited by the LTTE and has not been released, the UN statement added.
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March - 16 
The Government on March 16 said that as of today an estimated total of 42,855 civilians have fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-controlled areas and are housed in 22 Government welfare centres, according to Colombo Page. The figure also includes the civilians who are receiving treatmen
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The Government on March 16 said that as of today an estimated total of 42,855 civilians have fled the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-controlled areas and are housed in 22 Government welfare centres, according to Colombo Page. The figure also includes the civilians who are receiving treatment in the hospitals. The majority of the 36,186 displaced civilians, including 17,637 females and 17,048 males, are residing in the Relief Villages in Vavuniya and Mannar. 3,497 displaced persons who escaped to the Jaffna peninsula are in six Internally Displace Person centres in Jaffna. In addition, 3,238 men, women and children continue to receive medical treatment in hospitals.
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March - 16 
The total number of civilians in the Government declared ‘Safe Zone’ in the North is around 70,000 to 100,000 according to the statistics compiled by the Security Operations Information Centre comprising United Nations Department of Safety and Security, United Nations Office for the Coordination of
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The total number of civilians in the Government declared ‘Safe Zone’ in the North is around 70,000 to 100,000 according to the statistics compiled by the Security Operations Information Centre comprising United Nations Department of Safety and Security, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, SOLIDAR, an European network of NGOs, and United Nations Office for Project Services, said Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, Secretary General, Peace Secretariat and Secretary Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights on March 16, according to Daily News. Prof. Wijesinha said these figures are compiled through an analysis of satellite imaging and other information.
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March - 17 
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on March 17 expressed grave concern over the chidden trapped in the LTTE-held war zone in northern Sri Lanka. UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, said hundreds of children have been killed and many more injured as a result
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Colombo Page reports that the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on March 17 expressed grave concern over the chidden trapped in the LTTE-held war zone in northern Sri Lanka. UNICEF Executive Director, Ann M. Veneman, said hundreds of children have been killed and many more injured as a result of the conflict in Sri Lanka and thousands are now at risk because of a critical lack of food, water and medicines.
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March - 18 
An aid worker of the CARE International, an NGO, was killed on in the no-fire zone in Mullaitivu, the NGO said, according to Colombo Page. It said the victim, identified as R. Sabesan, 24, had been working for CARE as a caretaker in the Mullaitivu District office. "Hundreds of people have been repor
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An aid worker of the CARE International, an NGO, was killed on in the no-fire zone in Mullaitivu, the NGO said, according to Colombo Page. It said the victim, identified as R. Sabesan, 24, had been working for CARE as a caretaker in the Mullaitivu District office. "Hundreds of people have been reportedly killed or injured in the conflict zone. Food and supplies have almost run out. Civilians who try to leave are unable to do so, and are instead forced to shelter in rain-filled trenches in a desperate attempt to escape the fighting. Many of those attempting to flee are being prevented by the LTTE," it noted.
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March - 18 
The Government reiterated its proposal to the LTTE leadership to lay down arms and surrender for the sake of the trapped civilians. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, the Minister of Mass Media and Information, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, said the outfit’s leadership has enough time to eschew v
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The Government reiterated its proposal to the LTTE leadership to lay down arms and surrender for the sake of the trapped civilians. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, the Minister of Mass Media and Information, Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, said the outfit’s leadership has enough time to eschew violence. The Minister said if the LTTE wants to fight continuously they should allow the civilians they are holding as human shields to leave the un-cleared areas (areas not under Government control). He also informed the media that 45,519 civilians have already safely reached the Government-controlled areas while 25,000 to 30,000 civilians are currently living in the un-cleared areas.
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March - 18 
The Security Forces have won 99 per cent of the battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which is now in its death throes confined to a mere 28 square kilometers in the Mullaitivu jungles, Daily News reported. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security on March
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The Security Forces have won 99 per cent of the battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which is now in its death throes confined to a mere 28 square kilometers in the Mullaitivu jungles, Daily News reported. Addressing the media at the Media Centre for National Security on March 18, Defence Affairs spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said 99 per cent of the LTTE were militarily defeated in the final battle now being fought and are confined to an area of 28 square kilometers. He also said the LTTE, through its global network, is carrying out a propaganda campaign to gain sympathy from the international community. “There are certain pro LTTE elements in International organizations holding high ranking posts. They are taking cover behind these organizations in order to support the LTTE”, he claimed.
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March - 19 
Pillayan said the child soldiers issue related to the TMVP would be concluded in another three months. Speaking to the media in Trincomalee, he claimed they have already handed over the child soldiers to their parents and relatives. The Chief Minister said they have opened three offices in Trincomal
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Pillayan said the child soldiers issue related to the TMVP would be concluded in another three months. Speaking to the media in Trincomalee, he claimed they have already handed over the child soldiers to their parents and relatives. The Chief Minister said they have opened three offices in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara to look for the child soldiers mentioned by the UNICEF with the cooperation of the Police. The Chief Minister also said the UNICEF is still accusing the TMVP saying there are more child soldiers working with them. The UNICEF has recently given the Chief Minister a name list of 100 child soldiers still recruited in the party.
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March - 19 
Sri Lanka Government will lodge strong protests with countries where there have been demonstrations in favour of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said the Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 19, Hindustan Times reports. He said that pro-LTTE sympathisers have been staging
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Sri Lanka Government will lodge strong protests with countries where there have been demonstrations in favour of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), said the Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 19, Hindustan Times reports. He said that pro-LTTE sympathisers have been staging demonstrations in Australia, Belgium, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland and the United States, using LTTE propaganda. Several Tamils have also attempted self-immolation in Geneva and London. "The LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) is a banned organisation in some of these countries. We are surprised these countries allow LTTE sympathisers to use the LTTE flags so openly in their protests against us," the minister told reporters in Colombo. There had been several self-immolations at pro-LTTE demonstrations in India's southern state of Tamil Nadu, but Colombo will not take up issue with New Delhi because the demonstrators did not display LTTE flags, the minister added. He, however, pointed out that in other countries the demonstrators had draped themselves in LTTE flags.
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March - 19 
The number of civilians who have so far crossed over to the Government-controlled area was 47,241, said the Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 19, reported Daily News. Addressing the media, the Minister said 5,006 people had arrived in the Government-controll
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The number of civilians who have so far crossed over to the Government-controlled area was 47,241, said the Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe on March 19, reported Daily News. Addressing the media, the Minister said 5,006 people had arrived in the Government-controlled area during the last six days. He said civilians have escaped from the LTTE facing shootings and numerous difficulties. The Minister also said the name of the Mullaitivu Regional Director of Health Services and forged letter heads are being used to mislead the international community and the media for false propaganda on the present situation in the North.
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March - 21 March - 22
Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said 10 militants were killed by the SFs in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area on March 21 while 28 more were killed on March 22, according to Hindustan Times.
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Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said 10 militants were killed by the SFs in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area on March 21 while 28 more were killed on March 22, according to Hindustan Times.
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March - 22 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on March 21 that the LTTE had aspired to carve out a big Tamil Eelam State extending from near Colombo to the southern part of Sri Lanka, reports Rediff.com. "The large built up of its naval, air force and ground fighters including the suicide cadres were s
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said on March 21 that the LTTE had aspired to carve out a big Tamil Eelam State extending from near Colombo to the southern part of Sri Lanka, reports Rediff.com. "The large built up of its naval, air force and ground fighters including the suicide cadres were suggestive of the LTTE [Images] ambitions. When we look at the LTTE's military equipments and the training ground of the army it is clear they were looking to establish a large Eelam state. Maps retrieved from those places confirm this fact as they had hoped to create an Eelam from Negombo to Yala including certain parts of the (Buddhist city of) Anuradhapura," he said. While Negombo is 40 kilometres north of Colombo and seven kilometres from Colombo International Airport, Yala is located in southern Sri Lanka. "Hence, it is clear what we would have had to encounter if we do not initiate this humanitarian operation," Rajapakse said while referring to the steps taken to bring out the besieged Tamil refugees from the LTTE-controlled area. He also claimed that LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may try to flee through the sea by using a human ring.
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March - 22 
The military on March 22 said the LTTE has restricted the movement of civilians who are currently trapped in the battle zone, reports Xinhua. Defence officials, quoting civilians who had fled the area, claimed that no civilians are allowed to step out of their locations between 4 pm and 6am in the P
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The military on March 22 said the LTTE has restricted the movement of civilians who are currently trapped in the battle zone, reports Xinhua. Defence officials, quoting civilians who had fled the area, claimed that no civilians are allowed to step out of their locations between 4 pm and 6am in the Puttumatalan area, where the LTTE is confined to an area of 25 square kilometres. Tamil civilians are given 15-day forcible military training by the LTTE in addition to holding them as human shields in the battle against Government troops, civilians have claimed. The LTTE, on occasions, has also fired at civilians who attempted to leave their areas.
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March - 22 
The Sri Lanka Government rejected a fresh Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demand for a cease-fire, Colombo Page reported on March 22. “We are not for any talks with the LTTE, we had enough ceasefires with the LTTE many times earlier," an unnamed official said. He also said that the LTTE shou
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The Sri Lanka Government rejected a fresh Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demand for a cease-fire, Colombo Page reported on March 22. “We are not for any talks with the LTTE, we had enough ceasefires with the LTTE many times earlier," an unnamed official said. He also said that the LTTE should free civilians under their captivity and lay down arms even to consider a truce. The rejection comes in response to LTTE political chief B. Nadesan's claims that the outfit would enter negotiations with the Government "without pre-conditions". In an interview with the British Sunday Times, Nadesan said, "We call for a ceasefire, loudly and clearly. Continuous denial of humanitarian access to the civilian population, and non-stop artillery and aerial attacks, are creating an unbearable situation." He called for international monitors to see the situation, adding that the LTTE would respect the outcome of any referendum on an independent Tamil state as long as it was held "once people were allowed to return to their homes". He also said, "There are rumours and speculations. But I can confirm that our leader is here with our people as always." Earlier there were rumours that the LTTE chief and senior LTTE cadres had left the country. However the civilians, who have come to cleared areas, had reportedly confirmed that LTTE chief Prabhakaran is present and engaged in recruiting people to the outfit.
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March - 23 
The National Integration and Reconciliation Minister (Non-Cabinet) Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman’s senior leaders are to be appointed as Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) electoral organizers in the Eastern Province, according to Colombo Page. Karuna told reporters that he
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The National Integration and Reconciliation Minister (Non-Cabinet) Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman’s senior leaders are to be appointed as Sri Lanka Freedom Party's (SLFP) electoral organizers in the Eastern Province, according to Colombo Page. Karuna told reporters that he has already held talks with the SLFP General Secretary and Minister Maithripala Sirisena in this regard. He also revealed that the SLFP organizers had not been appointed for most electorates in the East for the past 20 years. Karuna, who broke away from the LTTE in 2004 to create his own group and later formed the political party Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal, obtained SLFP party membership and took oath as the Minister on March 9, 2009.
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March - 25 
The Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said that the Army was fully prepared to extend necessary logistical support and conceptual inputs to authorities to carry out rehabilitation and reintegration programs for ex-combatants, reported Daily News.
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The Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said that the Army was fully prepared to extend necessary logistical support and conceptual inputs to authorities to carry out rehabilitation and reintegration programs for ex-combatants, reported Daily News.
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March - 25 
The Minster of National Integration and Reconciliation, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, has ruled out Police powers to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), reports Colombo Page. Speaking at the Parliament, Karuna described giving Police powers to the EPC as another unnecessary prob
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The Minster of National Integration and Reconciliation, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, has ruled out Police powers to the Eastern Provincial Council (EPC), reports Colombo Page. Speaking at the Parliament, Karuna described giving Police powers to the EPC as another unnecessary problem.
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March - 25 
The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne, has admitted that he is unable to confirm the veracity of the figures of civilian casualties since January 20, 2009 in the Mullaitivu District, issued by his office recently. During a meeting in Colombo with the Sri Lanka Foreign
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The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Neil Buhne, has admitted that he is unable to confirm the veracity of the figures of civilian casualties since January 20, 2009 in the Mullaitivu District, issued by his office recently. During a meeting in Colombo with the Sri Lanka Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, Buhne has acknowledged that "the report had been prepared by his Office, and was meant only for circulation among the donor community, but could not independently verify the authenticity of the figures of civilian casualties mentioned in the report," the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The Foreign Minister informed Buhne that the figures of 2,683 civilian deaths and 7,241 injuries cited in the report titled, "Sri Lanka - Civilian casualties Wanni Overview-March 2009" emanating from his Office, have not been attributed to any reliable or independent source.
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March - 25 
The United Nations (UN) on March 25 said the humanitarian and security situation of an estimated 100,000 civilians is unstable as the access to food and medical assistance remain limited while shelling still continues in the no-fire zone and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) keeps forcibly
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The United Nations (UN) on March 25 said the humanitarian and security situation of an estimated 100,000 civilians is unstable as the access to food and medical assistance remain limited while shelling still continues in the no-fire zone and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) keeps forcibly recruiting civilians, according to Colombo Page. Michele Montas, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said "conditions for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the no-fire zone continue to remain insecure and precarious, with shelling still reported and limited access to food, safe water, sanitation facilities and medical assistance." Montas told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York that LTTE continues to forcibly recruit civilians and prevent people from leaving Wanni. He said between January 1 and March 23, 44,756 civilians reached the Government-controlled areas and are now housed in IDP camps, mostly located in Vavuniya, as well as Mannar and Jaffna. According to Montas, the first phase of registration of the current displaced persons caseload in Vavuniya camps is ongoing and is expected to be completed by the end of April.
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March - 26 
Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the LTTE has now set up gun positions in the NFZ as shown by the March 25 missile attacks from the ‘Safe Zone’ on the Sri Lankan Air Force helicopters evacuating military casualties. The Government, he stated, has instructed the SFs to carry out the operations with
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Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the LTTE has now set up gun positions in the NFZ as shown by the March 25 missile attacks from the ‘Safe Zone’ on the Sri Lankan Air Force helicopters evacuating military casualties. The Government, he stated, has instructed the SFs to carry out the operations without any harm to the civilians trapped in un-cleared areas (areas not under Government control). In the press briefing, the Government disclosed that 55,286 civilians have reached the Government-controlled areas since November 2008.
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March - 26 
More than 2,100 civilians fled the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) in Mullaitivu during a single day, on March 26, the Defence Ministry said, reports Colombo Page. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said it was the largest number of civilians to flee in a single day
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More than 2,100 civilians fled the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) in Mullaitivu during a single day, on March 26, the Defence Ministry said, reports Colombo Page. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said it was the largest number of civilians to flee in a single day in several weeks. He said that among the civilians there were over 900 children arrived in military-held areas in Puthukkudiyiruppu. A total of 2,108 civilians escaped the LTTE-held area and reached Government-controlled Puthukkudiyiruppu.
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March - 26 
Reuters quoted the military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara as saying on March 26 that at least 30 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during a counterattack in the Mullaitivu District on March 25.
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Reuters quoted the military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara as saying on March 26 that at least 30 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) during a counterattack in the Mullaitivu District on March 25.
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March - 26 
The Government said on March 26 that the LTTE has now been restricted to an area of one square kilometre excluding the no-fire zone (NFZ), reports Colombo Page. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Brigadier Nanayakkara said the SFs have to liberate another 21 square kilometres in Mullaitivu. Howe
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The Government said on March 26 that the LTTE has now been restricted to an area of one square kilometre excluding the no-fire zone (NFZ), reports Colombo Page. Speaking at the weekly press briefing, Brigadier Nanayakkara said the SFs have to liberate another 21 square kilometres in Mullaitivu. However, 20 square kilometres of this consists of ‘Safe Zone’, lagoon and wetlands. He also said the LTTE cadres are hiding among the civilians in the ‘Safe Zone’.
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March - 26 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on March 26 refused to take part in discussions called by the President Mahinda Rajapakse over the situation in the north, reported Colombo Page. The TNA leader and Member of Parliament (MP), R. Sampanthan, told the media that they will not attend any kind of talks
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The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on March 26 refused to take part in discussions called by the President Mahinda Rajapakse over the situation in the north, reported Colombo Page. The TNA leader and Member of Parliament (MP), R. Sampanthan, told the media that they will not attend any kind of talks until the ongoing military operations in the north are suspended. "We have already conveyed our decision to President Rajapakse in a letter this morning," he said. The President had on March 23 invited the TNA parliamentarians to a special discussion to discuss the situation in the north on March 26. The TNA said in its letter that any political discussion should follow the resolution of what they identified as a humanitarian crisis, adds Daily News. They have also stated that they will extend their cooperation "to any credible political process that seeks to evolve on adequate, acceptable and durable solution to the Tamil problem." The invitation to the TNA is the first after the abrogation of the Norwegian-brokered 2002 Cease-Fire Agreement in January 2008 and imposition of a ban on the LTTE on January 7.
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March - 26 
The United Nations (UN), backed by Britain and the United States, on March 26 pressed for a "humanitarian pause" in Sri Lanka and blamed the LTTE for the plight of trapped civilians. UN humanitarian Chief John Holmes told reporters after an informal UN Security Council briefing that his main concern
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The United Nations (UN), backed by Britain and the United States, on March 26 pressed for a "humanitarian pause" in Sri Lanka and blamed the LTTE for the plight of trapped civilians. UN humanitarian Chief John Holmes told reporters after an informal UN Security Council briefing that his main concern "is the civilian population trapped in the combat area and not being allowed out by the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)." "… This is an extremely worrying situation and therefore, our first appeal to the LTTE is to let the civilians out in a safe and orderly fashion."
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March - 27 
Sri Lanka’s "roadmap" for defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "is [being] handled very professionally and with responsibility." Asserting this, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Hindu in Singapore on March 27 that "Humanitarian concerns" were "getting address
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Sri Lanka’s "roadmap" for defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) "is [being] handled very professionally and with responsibility." Asserting this, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told The Hindu in Singapore on March 27 that "Humanitarian concerns" were "getting addressed;" and Colombo would "not … rush through for the euphoria of a military victory" over the LTTE. The "No-Fire Zone," meant to protect the interests of trapped civilians, "has taken sanctity." Moreover, "a very transparent process" was being adopted to organise relief for the internally displaced persons. Despite global interest in the current Sri Lankan situation, he ruled out an international conference to blueprint a "post-conflict" solution. "An internal political process [for this] is very much on, now [itself]." The Foreign Minister also said that while the Sri Lankan government believes that the LTTE supreme Prabhakaran is still in the country, they are also seeking to address concerns about LTTE terrorism from outside of Sri Lanka, once the war is over in the country. "We will caution our friends of the threat that can come from any of the residue of the LTTE finding way, under camouflage, into other locations. Sympathisers of the LTTE have [already] found their way into Europe. Their major campaign is currently on: agitation for a lifeline to be thrown to the LTTE. … So, we should not leave any room, in the guise of front organisations of the LTTE. And, that’s why I have sought the proscription of even the ‘Tamil rehabilitation organisations’ in the European Union", he said. Referring to India, he said, "has been a major strength for us — as a country with which we share interests, with whom we have been working very intimately." And, right now, "the political process [of devolution] introduced by Rajiv Gandhi awaits implementation in its full form" in a post-conflict Sri Lanka.
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March - 28 
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lanka Police Department has decided to establish a few official dog units for Police stations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Deputy Director of the unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Lal Senevirathna, said the main goal is to search for land mines
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Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lanka Police Department has decided to establish a few official dog units for Police stations in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. The Deputy Director of the unit, Assistant Superintendent of Police Lal Senevirathna, said the main goal is to search for land mines and weapons hidden by the LTTE. According to Senevirathna, they have already started training thirty German Shepherd and Belgium Malinois dogs for this purpose. The Police Department hopes to establish two special dog units at the new headquarters to be constructed in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.
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March - 28 
President Mahinda Rajapakse appealed on March 28 to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down their arms, saying it would ensure the safety of tens of thousands of trapped civilians, reports Associated Press. The President issued an "appeal to the LTTE to free all civilians who are hel
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President Mahinda Rajapakse appealed on March 28 to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down their arms, saying it would ensure the safety of tens of thousands of trapped civilians, reports Associated Press. The President issued an "appeal to the LTTE to free all civilians who are held hostage by them so that the civilians can go to safe areas" controlled by the Government, the president's office said in a statement. The statement also said that the military's "operations are conducted in such a manner to as to ensure that no civilians are killed or injured. That is why their advance over the past few weeks has been so slow."
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March - 28 
The President met with Tamil and Muslim party leaders in Colombo, according to Colombo Page. During the meeting he said that local Government elections for the Jaffna District will be held soon. However, the President did not mention a specific timeframe for the polls, sources said. The last local G
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The President met with Tamil and Muslim party leaders in Colombo, according to Colombo Page. During the meeting he said that local Government elections for the Jaffna District will be held soon. However, the President did not mention a specific timeframe for the polls, sources said. The last local Government election was held in Jaffna in 1998. The parties present at the meeting, include the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) and the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC).
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March - 29 
Colombo Page reports that the SLAF on March 29 rejected a news report published by some international media outlets saying that there is another light aircraft of LTTE. The SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said they have not received any information over another light aircraft belong
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Colombo Page reports that the SLAF on March 29 rejected a news report published by some international media outlets saying that there is another light aircraft of LTTE. The SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said they have not received any information over another light aircraft belonging to the LTTE. He said four light aircraft of the LTTE were already destroyed by the Government forces during the past two years. Seven air strips of the LTTE have also been captured by the troops during the ongoing operations in the North.
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March - 29 
Heavy fighting erupted between the two sides in the Puthukkudiyiruppu East, Iranapalai East and Palamattalam areas as troops attached to the 53rd, 58th and 55th Divisions further close in on the ‘Safe Zone’ from three directions. “The Safe Zone has now been surrounded from all three directions and t
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Heavy fighting erupted between the two sides in the Puthukkudiyiruppu East, Iranapalai East and Palamattalam areas as troops attached to the 53rd, 58th and 55th Divisions further close in on the ‘Safe Zone’ from three directions. “The Safe Zone has now been surrounded from all three directions and troops are poised to liberate the civilians trapped inside the Safe Zone clearing paths for them to reach Security Forces controlled areas,” a senior military official told Daily News on March 29. The LTTE is now fighting within a one square kilometre stretch in the Iranapalai East, the last build up area under LTTE control at present, he said, adding, “Heavy fighting erupted in this terrain as 58 Division and 53 Division troops launched simultaneous attacks on Tiger controlled areas cutting off their last available Supply Routes East of Iranapalai from the A-35 road.” The official said that the LTTE is continuing their battle in this narrow stretch constructing earth bunds on a daily basis and troops have to overrun each earth bund to capture the area. ”With the capture of this last build up area the troops have to cross water filled paddy lands and the lagoon to reach the Safe Zone which is now within sight from all battlefronts,” the official added.
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March - 30 
ilitary spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that heavy ground battles between the Army troops and LTTE on March 29 left 29 militants dead, Associated Press reported on March 30. The fighting erupted after Security Forces (SFs) broke through a fortification built by the LTTE to defend their la
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ilitary spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that heavy ground battles between the Army troops and LTTE on March 29 left 29 militants dead, Associated Press reported on March 30. The fighting erupted after Security Forces (SFs) broke through a fortification built by the LTTE to defend their last strip of land. A military statement said a senior Sea Tiger leader, known as Uththaman, who commanded the ground battle, was also killed. Following clashes with the militants in the area north of Palamattalam and Puthukkudiyiruppu region, SFs recovered dead bodies of 15 militants along with 20 T-56 weapons and one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) on March 30, reports SLA.
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March - 30 
SFs operating in the north of Puttumatalan thwarted a LTTE boat attack, most probably aiming at an amphibious attack, a senior military official said, reported Daily News on March 30. According to the ground information LTTE had used 20-30 boats for the attack. The LTTE sustained heavy losses during
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SFs operating in the north of Puttumatalan thwarted a LTTE boat attack, most probably aiming at an amphibious attack, a senior military official said, reported Daily News on March 30. According to the ground information LTTE had used 20-30 boats for the attack. The LTTE sustained heavy losses during their failed infiltration effort, which lasted from March 27 till the early hours of March 28.
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March - 30 
The Government on March 30 rejected some media reports that it has called for a 'humanitarian ceasefire' in order to evacuate trapped civilians, reported Colombo Page. A senior Government official said that the troops are not observing any kind of cease-fire with the LTTE. "Unless the LTTE agrees to
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The Government on March 30 rejected some media reports that it has called for a 'humanitarian ceasefire' in order to evacuate trapped civilians, reported Colombo Page. A senior Government official said that the troops are not observing any kind of cease-fire with the LTTE. "Unless the LTTE agrees to lay down arms or free the civilians from their custody, we will not go for any kind of ceasefire with them," the unnamed official confirmed. Some media reports had claimed that the Government had decided to observe a ‘humanitarian ceasefire’ with the LTTE.
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March - 31 
Earlier on the same day, the outfit’s new head of International Diplomatic Relations, S. Pathmanathan, said in an interview with the pro-LTTE website Tamil Net that the outfit did not believe war was the only means to achieve their aspirations and urged the global community to exert pressure on the
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Earlier on the same day, the outfit’s new head of International Diplomatic Relations, S. Pathmanathan, said in an interview with the pro-LTTE website Tamil Net that the outfit did not believe war was the only means to achieve their aspirations and urged the global community to exert pressure on the Sri Lankan Government to enter into a cease-fire with them. "Laying down arms before any political solution is unrealistic. It is wrong to assume that the versatile and resilient LTTE is in a weakened position," Pathmanathan said. Responding to accusations of using civilians as human shields, he claimed that the Tamils in the LTTE-held areas were staying there on their own.
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March - 31 
Indonesia has assured the Sri Lankan Government that it will not allow its territory to be used to promote separatism or terrorism in the island nation, according to RTT News. "Indonesia will not be a launching pad for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and will not be a party to its arms procu
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Indonesia has assured the Sri Lankan Government that it will not allow its territory to be used to promote separatism or terrorism in the island nation, according to RTT News. "Indonesia will not be a launching pad for Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and will not be a party to its arms procurements," Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said while addressing a joint news conference with his Sri Lankan counterpart Rohitha Bogollagama. The assurance came amidst apprehensions that the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran may try to seek refuge in South-East Asia or any other country. Reports indicate that Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia or some European nations could be among the options Prabhakaran may explore to seek refuge.
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March - 31 
The Government on March 31 rejected the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) offer for a cease-fire saying the Government will not go for a truce under any circumstances, reports Colombo Page. "We will not cave into pressures from any international quarters locally and internationally and will
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The Government on March 31 rejected the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) offer for a cease-fire saying the Government will not go for a truce under any circumstances, reports Colombo Page. "We will not cave into pressures from any international quarters locally and internationally and will not stop until the war was completely over," President Mahinda Rajapakse said. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, a top Government official, Rajiva Wijesinha, said the LTTE is not reliable, adding, “We know that making a sort of agreement with the Tigers is not something we can rely on." He said as military forces are now very close to the civilians and the front lines are within their sight, the tens of thousands of people trapped in the war zone have a greater chance of coming to the cleared areas (area under Government control).
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March - 31 
The Government said it has withdrawn its troops from the Internally Displaced Persons centers in Vavuniya, where thousands of civilians from un-cleared area (area not under Government control) are housed, reports Colombo Page. According to AFP, the Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said act
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The Government said it has withdrawn its troops from the Internally Displaced Persons centers in Vavuniya, where thousands of civilians from un-cleared area (area not under Government control) are housed, reports Colombo Page. According to AFP, the Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said action has been taken in response to pressure from the United Nations. "We have accepted the UN recommendation and camp management has now been handed over to the Resettlement and Relief Ministry and the camps will be supervised by civil servants," said Samarasinghe. More than 61,000 people who have fled from the battlefield are now residing in these camps. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Ministry said that 300 children who were separated from their families while crossing over to cleared areas (area under Government control) in Vavuniya have been reunited with their families.
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April - 1 
A tactical meeting on the front organizations of LTTE was hosted by Eurojust [the European Union (EU) institution responsible for co-ordination of investigations and prosecutions between competent authorities in the Member States], on March 30-31, 2009 in the Hague, Netherlands, reported Daily News.
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A tactical meeting on the front organizations of LTTE was hosted by Eurojust [the European Union (EU) institution responsible for co-ordination of investigations and prosecutions between competent authorities in the Member States], on March 30-31, 2009 in the Hague, Netherlands, reported Daily News. The Meeting was attended by representatives of the Intelligence and Criminal Justice communities of EU member States, non-EU countries, including Sri Lanka and the Europol, said a press release issued by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Brussels. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and EU, Ravinatha Aryasinha, said that notwithstanding its proscription as a terrorist entity within the EU since May 2006, the LTTE, through front organizations such as the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) and Tamil Coordination Committee, has continued to circumvent the impositions placed on them.
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April - 1 
Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said 62,157 civilians have reached the cleared areas as of April 1, Daily News reported. "There was a considerable increase in the number of civilians arriving in Government controlled areas within this week," the Brigadier added. According to him, 40,0
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Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said 62,157 civilians have reached the cleared areas as of April 1, Daily News reported. "There was a considerable increase in the number of civilians arriving in Government controlled areas within this week," the Brigadier added. According to him, 40,000 civilians are yet to arrive in the military-controlled areas from the NFZ.
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April - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said troops have now entered the final phase of the battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Tigers (LTTE) who at present have been trapped in a small area, according to Colombo Page. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on April 1, the President said that though the milita
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said troops have now entered the final phase of the battle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Tigers (LTTE) who at present have been trapped in a small area, according to Colombo Page. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting on April 1, the President said that though the military continues to request the remaining LTTE militants to surrender, there was no positive response from them. The President also instructed his ministers to be vigilant of LTTE suicide bombers as intelligence sources have warned that there are 16 suicide bombers in capital Colombo already. The President also instructed his ministers not to attend elections rallies for the upcoming Western Provincial Council polls because of this new threat.
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April - 1 
Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake claimed that the troops can “finish” the LTTE in “half-an-hour”, but was concerned for the safety of the innocent civilians trapped in the last LTTE-held area, according to PTI. “The Government can finish off terrorism completely within half an hour if it act
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Prime Minister, Ratnasiri Wickremanayake claimed that the troops can “finish” the LTTE in “half-an-hour”, but was concerned for the safety of the innocent civilians trapped in the last LTTE-held area, according to PTI. “The Government can finish off terrorism completely within half an hour if it acted in an inhuman manner. Driving out terrorists (LTTE) from a very small bastion in the north has been time consuming because the Government is acting most humanely considering the safety of civilians held by the LTTE as a human shield,” the Prime Minister said.
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April - 1 
The Export Development and International Trade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said the current war against the LTTE will come to an end within the next three weeks, reported Colombo Page.
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The Export Development and International Trade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said the current war against the LTTE will come to an end within the next three weeks, reported Colombo Page.
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April - 1 
The Government is ready for a pause in firing if the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) frees the civilians trapped inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) but it is not ready for a cease-fire with the outfit at any moment, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on April 1, accordin
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The Government is ready for a pause in firing if the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) frees the civilians trapped inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) but it is not ready for a cease-fire with the outfit at any moment, Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said on April 1, according to Daily News. He said the Government have had many pauses in the northern battle front when the civilians arriving in the Security Forces’ (SF) held areas and was also ready to have such pauses if the LTTE was ready to free the civilians. "President Mahinda Rajapakse as the Commander in Chief declared a 48 hour pause in firing to facilitate the civilian movement into cleared areas earlier too and it was practiced by the Security Forces whenever they got information about a civilian movement. Therefore, a pause in firing is not a new thing for the Security Forces," the Minister added. Rambukwella said cease-fire becomes valid only when the LTTE agrees to lay down arms and renounce violence. He also said that the Government is ready to crack down on economic terrorism in the same manner it did with the LTTE terrorism if any organization tries to block funds and development aid to the country. He claimed that certain elements working with local political parties were engaged in economic terrorism against Sri Lanka to push the country into a financial crisis as the Government is on the verge of eliminating LTTE terrorism. The Minister also warned that legal action will be taken on certain NGOs on the LTTE pay role who are using local journalists to tarnish the image of the Government and SFs conducting humanitarian operation in the north. "We have clear and strong evidence that many aid workers are supporting the LTTE in the war torn area. Therefore, no aid worker will be allowed in the war torn areas," he added.
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April - 4 
Criticising international media reports for suggesting Tamil civilians are caught in a ‘crossfire’, the pro-LTTE party Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament for Wanni, S. Kanagratnam, claimed that the SLA was shelling deep into the LTTE-controlled territory and deliberately targeting hospital
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Criticising international media reports for suggesting Tamil civilians are caught in a ‘crossfire’, the pro-LTTE party Tamil National Alliance Member of Parliament for Wanni, S. Kanagratnam, claimed that the SLA was shelling deep into the LTTE-controlled territory and deliberately targeting hospitals and internally displaced people. “Scores of Tamil civilians are being killed every day. But the civilian victims are not on or near the frontline as some international media is reporting. These people, inside safety zone, away from the frontline and they are being deliberately targeted by the Sri Lankan military,” he said.
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April - 5 
On April 5, he called on the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to surrender to the military with his remaining cadres as soon as possible, according to Colombo Page. “You have no option but to put down your arms and surrender with your brain washed remaining cadres. It is now time for you to release
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On April 5, he called on the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to surrender to the military with his remaining cadres as soon as possible, according to Colombo Page. “You have no option but to put down your arms and surrender with your brain washed remaining cadres. It is now time for you to release all Tamil civilians and let them live in peace and harmony," reports said quoting the President. The President also said the LTTE was fighting against the armed forces while keeping the innocent civilians as a cover in the No-Fire Zone (NFZ).
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April - 6 
President Mahinda Rajapakse said on April 6 “the mythical belief that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is unconquerable” was shattered, The Hindu reports. He said that many past leaders were suspicious of the strength of the military in defeating terrorism and believed a war with the LTTE
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President Mahinda Rajapakse said on April 6 “the mythical belief that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is unconquerable” was shattered, The Hindu reports. He said that many past leaders were suspicious of the strength of the military in defeating terrorism and believed a war with the LTTE was un-winnable. His Government will not permit terrorism to raise its head again, the President asserted, adds Daily News. He pointed out that to appease some foreign interests and to obtain monetary assistance the past regimes had offered land on a platter to the militants. By this betrayal, the militants gathered momentum and maintained even an Army, Navy and an Air Force of their own. They had built up a massive armoury and made formidable advances in technology. They had eventually gained international recognition too, he stated. “They would not have been contended with only the North and East. Their conceptual Eelam map extended even to Negombo, Badulla and Yala”, he added.
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April - 6 
The Security Forces (SFs) are in no hurry to storm the No Fire Zone (NFZ) to pursue the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north-east, said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse in an interview with the BBC on April 6. "We have no plans of going into the safe zone immediately. Our aim is
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The Security Forces (SFs) are in no hurry to storm the No Fire Zone (NFZ) to pursue the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the north-east, said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse in an interview with the BBC on April 6. "We have no plans of going into the safe zone immediately. Our aim is to get the civilians safely out of the no-fire zone. So, we are watching at the moment," he said. "I don't think the Tamil Tigers can be a viable force any more. There are reports that there are lots of dissensions within the rebels. They can always surrender," Rajapakse said. He also denied allegations that the SFs were firing into the NFZ. Rajapakse also said that the most senior civilian official in charge of the war has said there were indications that civilians were lining up to leave the area.
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April - 6 
With the capture of the entire Puthukkudiyiruppu area by the Security Forces, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on April 6 reiterated its call for a cease-fire saying this was needed now much more than ever before. The TNA Jaffna District parliamentarian N. Srikantha told Daily Mirror that according
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With the capture of the entire Puthukkudiyiruppu area by the Security Forces, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on April 6 reiterated its call for a cease-fire saying this was needed now much more than ever before. The TNA Jaffna District parliamentarian N. Srikantha told Daily Mirror that according to latest media reports, the Government had now captured the entire landmass that remained under LTTE control. Srikantha said only the NFZ meant for civilians remained now, and therefore there was no justification for the Government to continue its military operations. He said it was nothing but logical and sensible to have a cease-fire at this time.
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April - 7 
The Government on April 7 rejected a call by the UN for a cease-fire in its military campaign against the LTTE, insisting it would not be trapped into letting the group's leaders escape, The Guardian reported. The military acknowledged that it faced an "extremely difficult task" in separating the mi
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The Government on April 7 rejected a call by the UN for a cease-fire in its military campaign against the LTTE, insisting it would not be trapped into letting the group's leaders escape, The Guardian reported. The military acknowledged that it faced an "extremely difficult task" in separating the militants from the civilians in the NFZ. "They (LTTE leaders) have merged into the rest of the civilians but they still have some strength to control those civilians. They are forcefully keeping those civilians. They want us to move into that area and get international pressure to get asylum for their leadership. We don't want to get into that trap," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. Earlier on April 6, Walter Kaelin, representative of the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, called for a pause in the fighting to allow the trapped civilians to leave the area. "I urgently repeat my call to the LTTE to allow all civilians under its control to leave this zone and to seek safety elsewhere,” he said. He also called on the Government to "scrupulously respect" the no-fire zone. "If the Sri Lankan army would try to go into there, if the LTTE would not be ready to let these civilians go, then we'll end up with a bloodbath, and this must by all means be avoided," he stated.
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April - 8 
Asked about the report on Pottu Amman taking overall command of the LTTE, military spokesperson Udaya Nanayakkara told The Hindu that the information was based on intelligence intercepts and the military was not in a position to confirm the veracity of the report.
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Asked about the report on Pottu Amman taking overall command of the LTTE, military spokesperson Udaya Nanayakkara told The Hindu that the information was based on intelligence intercepts and the military was not in a position to confirm the veracity of the report.
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April - 8 
Colombo Page reports that the total number of fleeing civilians from LTTE-held areas to Government controlled areas have increased to 64,147, the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, confirmed. Speaking to the media, Samarasinghe said with the arrival of a civilian
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Colombo Page reports that the total number of fleeing civilians from LTTE-held areas to Government controlled areas have increased to 64,147, the Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, confirmed. Speaking to the media, Samarasinghe said with the arrival of a civilian group over 2,000 on April 7 the total number rose to 64,147. According to the Minister, they have been settled at 15 welfare centres in Vavuniya and Jaffna.
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April - 8 
Defence officials suspect a rebellion against the LTTE by the civilians trapped in the NFZ had taken place in the afternoon of April 8 as troops heard loud explosions and sounds of gunfire from the NFZ, Colombo Page reported. The troops posted just outside the NFZ observed 'serious disturbances' in
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Defence officials suspect a rebellion against the LTTE by the civilians trapped in the NFZ had taken place in the afternoon of April 8 as troops heard loud explosions and sounds of gunfire from the NFZ, Colombo Page reported. The troops posted just outside the NFZ observed 'serious disturbances' in the NFZ following last warning to the LTTE by the Army, the military said on April 9. According to defence reports, troops manning defences half a kilometre from the LTTE-built earth bund on the border of the NFZ in Ampalavanpokkanai west heard loud explosions and machine gunfire in Ampalavanpokkanai in the NFZ. Just before the explosions, troops observed a large gathering of people in the area following the Army's last warning.
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April - 8 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has asked the militants to surrender, promising to "rehabilitate" them as "good citizens", reports Asian Age. "Ninety nine per cent of the LTTE, its leaders, cadres and infrastructure have been destroyed. There is no way the LTTE can raise its head again," Rajapakse state
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has asked the militants to surrender, promising to "rehabilitate" them as "good citizens", reports Asian Age. "Ninety nine per cent of the LTTE, its leaders, cadres and infrastructure have been destroyed. There is no way the LTTE can raise its head again," Rajapakse stated.
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April - 8 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) intelligence chief Pottu Amman has taken the overall command of the outfit amidst the “fast deteriorating mental health condition” of its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said on April 8, according to PTI. The Ministry said
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) intelligence chief Pottu Amman has taken the overall command of the outfit amidst the “fast deteriorating mental health condition” of its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry said on April 8, according to PTI. The Ministry said the Government-designated No-Fire Zone (NFZ), meant for the civilians held hostage by the LTTE in Wanni, has now become a sanctuary for top LTTE leaders, including Prabhakaran. The Defence Ministry said Pottu Amman, having no battlefield experience, reportedly appointed Velawan, the last of LTTE’s battle-hardened cadre, as the outfit’s new military chief. It quoted civilians seeking refuge with the Army as saying that Pottu Amman had issued strict orders to the cadre manning the borders of the NFZ to kill any civilian, irrespective of their age or gender, who tried to escape from the NFZ. “The orders have been given following the outfit’s recent debacle in Puthukkudiyiruppu east. According the civilians, the infamous LTTE intelligence leader has convinced the LTTE cadre that the civilians are their last hope for survival,” said the Ministry. ”The Military further said security forces had several confrontations with the militants manning the last LTTE earth bund situated outside the NFZ, west of Ampalavanpokkanai. It said snipers deployed in the forward areas confirmed acquisition of 11 LTTE targets.
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April - 8 
The military said several loud explosions were heard in the NFZ soon after Army made the “final announcement” asking the LTTE to release the civilians held hostage by them in the afternoon. “The Army has made announcement using loudspeakers positioned few hundred metres short of the western border o
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The military said several loud explosions were heard in the NFZ soon after Army made the “final announcement” asking the LTTE to release the civilians held hostage by them in the afternoon. “The Army has made announcement using loudspeakers positioned few hundred metres short of the western border of the NFZ. Army suspects that the militants have launched some sort of an attack at the civilians who tried to escape their rule,” it said. Meanwhile, the military said soldiers poised to liberate the northern banks of the Nanthikandal lagoon, which is still under the LTTE hold, were now manoeuvring out of the Puthukkudiyiruppu east area.
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