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NA: Timeline (Terrorist Activities) -2009
Jan
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Date
Incidents
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May - 1 
58 LTTE child soldiers, including 38 males and 20 females, who surrendered to the SFs in the past few weeks were sent to the Vavuniya Police on a District Court order to be taken to Ambepussa Rehabilitation Centre for Children for Rehabilitation.
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58 LTTE child soldiers, including 38 males and 20 females, who surrendered to the SFs in the past few weeks were sent to the Vavuniya Police on a District Court order to be taken to Ambepussa Rehabilitation Centre for Children for Rehabilitation.
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May - 1 
During a combined search operation conducted by the Police and Special Task Force a stock of warlike items was found from Pampemadu in Mannar District. The seizure included a claymore mine of seven kilograms, three claymore mines of four kilograms, o
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During a combined search operation conducted by the Police and Special Task Force a stock of warlike items was found from Pampemadu in Mannar District. The seizure included a claymore mine of seven kilograms, three claymore mines of four kilograms, one 54 feet-long detonator cord, 19 detonators, one Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG) round, two RPG boosters, 350 rounds of T-56 ammunition and 100 mete of flexible wire.
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May - 1 
Police on a tip-off found one claymore mine of one kilogram, one claymore mine stand, one T-81 weapon, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun tripod and five hand grenades from the Kirimichchiya area.
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Police on a tip-off found one claymore mine of one kilogram, one claymore mine stand, one T-81 weapon, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun tripod and five hand grenades from the Kirimichchiya area.
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May - 1 
President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 1 urged the remaining civilians trapped in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District to escape from the area and come to the cleared areas (area under Government control), according to Colombo Page. "I appeal to
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President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 1 urged the remaining civilians trapped in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District to escape from the area and come to the cleared areas (area under Government control), according to Colombo Page. "I appeal to every one of you to come over to the cleared areas" President Rajapakse said to the Tamil civilians held hostage by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the NFZ. "I am aware of the tremendous difficulties faced by the civilians who are unfortunately still being held hostage by the LTTE in the no-fire zone. Your suffering is prolonged by this action of the LTTE who are holding you as a human shield for their own safety and security. My Government will continue to give utmost priority to ensure the safety and welfare of each and every one of you," the President added. "The President's appeal was air-dropped using air force helicopters to the civilians still in the NFZ," a statement from the President's office said.
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May - 1 
The advance of the troops towards the remaining areas under LTTE control is set to be expedited with the 58 Division troops capturing another earth bund paving the way for the 53rd Division advancing along the Pooneryn-Paranthan (A-35) road to join w
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The advance of the troops towards the remaining areas under LTTE control is set to be expedited with the 58 Division troops capturing another earth bund paving the way for the 53rd Division advancing along the Pooneryn-Paranthan (A-35) road to join with the 58th Division and advance further southwards in the NFZ, military officials told Daily News. Troops of the 58th Division captured this heavily fortified earth bund which had been constructed obstructing the troop advance along the A-35 road as they reached towards the A-35 road leaving only five kilometers land strip under LTTE control as of May 1, military officials added. As troops advanced further southward to capture the remaining areas under LTTE control, two more huge blasts believed to be accidental explosions of two suicide vehicles which were being prepared to be sent towards the advancing troops, were observed by the ground troops in the early hours of the same day. “The two explosions took place closer to the areas where thousands of civilians were living and the explosion continued fore more than two hours at one instance,” the officials added. The military officials stated that at least few dozens of civilians would have been killed and injured due to these explosions as it took place deeper inside the NFZ in Vellamullivaikkal.
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May - 1 
The security forces (SFs) neutralised four LTTE bunkers and killed 11 militants while injuring an equal number of them during separate attacks in the Navathkulama, Muttiramadittakulam and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniya district, according to Sri Lanka
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The security forces (SFs) neutralised four LTTE bunkers and killed 11 militants while injuring an equal number of them during separate attacks in the Navathkulama, Muttiramadittakulam and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniya district, according to Sri Lanka Army reports.
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May - 1 
The Sri Lanka Army’s official news wing www.army.lk was illegally hacked and technically ‘assassinated’ by suspected LTTE militants or their proxies during the early hours on May 1, inserting some gruesome images, according to a SLA report. Similarly
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The Sri Lanka Army’s official news wing www.army.lk was illegally hacked and technically ‘assassinated’ by suspected LTTE militants or their proxies during the early hours on May 1, inserting some gruesome images, according to a SLA report. Similarly, the Government news portal www.Lankapuvath.lk was hacked by suspected LTTE militants on the same day, the Government Information Department said, reports Colombo Page.
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May - 1 
The Sri Lanka Navy destroyed three Sea Tiger [sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] boats, including two suicide boats and an attack craft, killing at least 23 militants in a pre-down attack in the seas off Mullaitivu on May 1, rep
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The Sri Lanka Navy destroyed three Sea Tiger [sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] boats, including two suicide boats and an attack craft, killing at least 23 militants in a pre-down attack in the seas off Mullaitivu on May 1, reported Daily News. The SLN spokesman, Captain D.P.K. Dassanayake, said the Navy patrolling three nautical miles in the Mullaitivu sea observed a cluster of LTTE boats deployed from Putumattalan in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) heading towards the currently established Navy first defence line. The Navy’s Special Boat Squadron, Fast Attack Craft and Rapid Action Boat Squadron engaged the Sea Tiger boats attempting to launch a suicide attack on the naval craft. ”Two suicide craft laden with high explosives and another attack craft were completely destroyed in the fierce sea battle that erupted in the Mullaitivu sea. At least 23 sea terrorists were killed. Intercepted LTTE communications revealed that Sea Tigers have suffered heavy damages in the confrontation”, Captain Dassanayake added.
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May - 1 
Troops engaged in search and clear operations in the Valayalamadam south and Udayarkattu areas recovered 78 hand grenades, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition box, one LTTE combat kit, two LTTE pouches, one pack, two fibreglass boats, one
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Troops engaged in search and clear operations in the Valayalamadam south and Udayarkattu areas recovered 78 hand grenades, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition box, one LTTE combat kit, two LTTE pouches, one pack, two fibreglass boats, one 81-mm mortar base plate, seventy 82-mm mortar bombs, seventy 81-mm mortar bombs, one 60-mm mortar bomb, five hundred and fifty 81-mm mortar cartridges, three T-56 weapons, 18 MPMG tripods, 118 rifle grenades, 289 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), five hundred and fifty-four 81-mm mortar fuses, 55 kilograms of C-4 explosives, 4.5 kilograms of gun powder, 260 explosive chargers, 40 metre long detonator codes, 70 safety fuses, 580 electric detonators, 1500 electric fuses, 39 jumping mines, 42 anti-personnel mines (APMs), seven RPG, five MPMG weapon barrels, two unidentified mortar tubes, 698 Sub Machine Gun (SMG) weapons, 115 G3 and A3 weapons, one thermo baric weapon, one RCL barrel, one improvised mortar rocket, one heavy gun tripod, three heavy machine gun bipods, 656 T-56 magazines, 33 receiving covers, 172 T-56 pistons, 130 SMG magazines, 240 G3 and A3 magazines, five Light Machine Gun drums, 76 RPG shells, three hundred and twenty-five 81-mm mortar shell-connected booby traps, 40 jenny mines, 20 electric mines, 4000 electric mine detonators, 99 primer charges, 340 APM detonators, 550 kilograms of steel balls, 5200 Improvised Explosive Device (IED) electric switches, 11800 APMs plastic cases, 12000 string holders, 600 IED springs, 3000 IED fuses, 940 APM primers, booby trap accessories, 28 mortar shell booby traps, 75 trip wire reels, 4000 accessories of improvised switches, 200 plastic gas masks, twenty seven 2.5 kilograms weighing of copper rods, some aluminium sheets and 3016 ammunition on May 1,accoridng to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 1 May - 3
Troops in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area recovered 10 T-56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), one Rocket Propeller Gun (RPG), 17 RPG bombs, 10 RPG bomb pouches, 36 T-56 magazines, 99 pouches, 11 MPMG links, 10 Argus type bombs, 28 hand grenad
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Troops in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area recovered 10 T-56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), one Rocket Propeller Gun (RPG), 17 RPG bombs, 10 RPG bomb pouches, 36 T-56 magazines, 99 pouches, 11 MPMG links, 10 Argus type bombs, 28 hand grenades, 12 field dressings, six Bangalore torpedoes, 150 M-16 ammunition, twenty-three 9-mm ammunition and one I-com set. Further, troops found an abandoned LTTE vehicle from the Udayarkattu area. One light aircraft bomb was recovered by the troops from the Kokkali area on May 1.
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May - 2 
12 hand grenades, 2126 T-56 ammunition, 25-mm bombs and two 81-mm para bombs were found by the troops from the Mulankavil area.
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12 hand grenades, 2126 T-56 ammunition, 25-mm bombs and two 81-mm para bombs were found by the troops from the Mulankavil area.
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May - 2 
64 civilians were killed and 87 others injured as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) twice attacked the only remaining makeshift hospital at Mullivaaykkaal in the No Fire Zone of Mullaitivu District on May 2, reported pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE
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64 civilians were killed and 87 others injured as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) twice attacked the only remaining makeshift hospital at Mullivaaykkaal in the No Fire Zone of Mullaitivu District on May 2, reported pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net. Two artillery shells fired by the SLA hit the hospital at around 9:00am killing 23 and injuring 34 others while several shells that were fired later at 10:30am killed 41 civilians and wounded 53 others.
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May - 2 
Daily News reported that Police on May 2 arrested two youths in the Pasyala area of Gampaha district for extorting money from a leading businessmen posing off as LTTE operatives, Officer-in-Charge Nittambuwa C.I. Vipula Seneviratna said, adding, "The
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Daily News reported that Police on May 2 arrested two youths in the Pasyala area of Gampaha district for extorting money from a leading businessmen posing off as LTTE operatives, Officer-in-Charge Nittambuwa C.I. Vipula Seneviratna said, adding, "The suspects had called businessmen and threatened them to part with large sums of money or face death." The two suspects, identified as Gemini and Shiyam, had been carrying out extortion for a long period in the Nittambuwa, Ja-ela and Wattala areas posing as LTTE cadres.
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May - 2 
Earlier on May 2, the 58th and the 53rd Division’s troops captured the key junction that links the Putumattalan-Mullaitivu and Paranthan-Mullaitivu roads north of Vellamullivaikkal.
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Earlier on May 2, the 58th and the 53rd Division’s troops captured the key junction that links the Putumattalan-Mullaitivu and Paranthan-Mullaitivu roads north of Vellamullivaikkal.
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May - 2 
The Special Task Force (STF) personnel ambushed a group of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants at Kanchikudiary in the Ampara District in the night of May 2 killing four militants and recovering a large haul of arms, ammunition and expl
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The Special Task Force (STF) personnel ambushed a group of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants at Kanchikudiary in the Ampara District in the night of May 2 killing four militants and recovering a large haul of arms, ammunition and explosive devices, reported Daily News. The STF later identified the LTTE intelligence wing members as Vedanayagam, Elevandran, Kaleiwendran and Sathyapavan. The group which is believed to be behind a spate of killings of civilians in the Ampara, Moneragala and Buttala areas in recent times were ambushed on information from residents, Police said. According to the Media Centre for National Security, in a subsequent search operation, the STF recovered explosives, accessories for bomb making, uniforms, medical items, I- com sets, T81 and T56 rifles, ammunition and other items and material needed for survival in the jungle for a long period.
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May - 3 
Although the Government of Sri Lanka is rehabilitating the surrendered Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, it is not ready to grant this opportunity to any leader of the outfit, said the Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management
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Although the Government of Sri Lanka is rehabilitating the surrendered Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, it is not ready to grant this opportunity to any leader of the outfit, said the Minister of Human Rights and Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe, reports Colombo Page. Speaking to the media on April 3, the Minister stressed the Government would certainly take action against LTTE leaders who surrender or are arrested by the Security Forces. According to the Minister, several leaders of the outfit, including chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, are most wanted suspects in other countries as well for the crimes they have committed. He, however, said the Government is to offer an amnesty without trial for all militants who lay down their arms and surrender. He told the media that “the regulations for this purpose were being drafted in consultation with the Attorney General.” However, the amnesty will not be granted to those who have already been charged or convicted in courts. Earlier, the UN also urged the Sri Lankan Government to consider a general amnesty for the LTTE cadres who are willing to surrender. More than 3,000 LTTE militants have surrendered to the military since January 2008 and the Government has established four rehabilitation centres in Jaffna, Ambepussa, Welikanda and Vavuniya to rehabilitate the other LTTE militants who surrender.
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May - 3 
On May 3, troops recovered one T-56 weapon, one T-56 magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, six 60-mm mortar bombs, two 2.5 kilograms claymore mines and three detonators from the Olumadu, Periyamadu and Karukkankulam in Vavuniya District.
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On May 3, troops recovered one T-56 weapon, one T-56 magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, six 60-mm mortar bombs, two 2.5 kilograms claymore mines and three detonators from the Olumadu, Periyamadu and Karukkankulam in Vavuniya District.
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May - 3 
The 58th and the 53rd Divisions cleared their paths towards the remaining five kilometres stretch of the No Fire Zone (NFZ) after the latter stormed another heavily fortified Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-built earth-bund across the Paranth
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The 58th and the 53rd Divisions cleared their paths towards the remaining five kilometres stretch of the No Fire Zone (NFZ) after the latter stormed another heavily fortified Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-built earth-bund across the Paranthan-Mullaitivu (A-35) road after fighting in the early hours of May 3, military officials told Daily News. The 53rd Division which is operating in the narrow land stretch between the Nanthikandal lagoon and A-35 road captured the earth-bund located south of the key junction that links the A-35 road with the Putumattalan-Mullaitivu road. ”The LTTE suffered heavily during this battle that ended with the troops capturing this heavily fortified earthbund by the early hours of yesterday braving the heavy mine fields of the LTTE,” an unnamed official said. It has also been reported that senior LTTE leader Thamilendi, who was in charge of the heavy weapons of the outfit, was killed during the fighting. ”The LTTE is now trapped in a five km stretch of land along with the civilians and the troops are slowly but steadily advancing to that terrain amidst all obstacles posed by the LTTE,” military officials added.
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May - 3 
The LTTE appealed to Britain and France to immediately intervene and broker a cease-fire with the Government. In a letter to the British and French Foreign Ministers who visited Sri Lanka last week, the LTTE said, "We are ready to engage in the proce
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The LTTE appealed to Britain and France to immediately intervene and broker a cease-fire with the Government. In a letter to the British and French Foreign Ministers who visited Sri Lanka last week, the LTTE said, "We are ready to engage in the process to bring about a ceasefire and enter into negotiations for an enduring resolution to the conflict."
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May - 3 
The report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) will be released to all political parties soon, an unnamed official said. An APRC spokesman said they met last week and discussed the proposal of a constitutional court. The APRC report is a
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The report of the All Party Representative Committee (APRC) will be released to all political parties soon, an unnamed official said. An APRC spokesman said they met last week and discussed the proposal of a constitutional court. The APRC report is a document which recommends the full implementation of the 13th amendment plus certain additional power devolution, the spokesman said. The APRC was mandated by President Mahinda Rajapakse to prepare a set of proposals that would be the basis for a solution to the national question. During the last two years 120 APRC sessions, chaired by Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana, were held. The spokesman said that some non-participating political parties were also waiting to study the APRC proposals. Sri Lanka's main opposition United National party, Marxist Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and the Tamil National Alliance refrained from participating in the APRC sessions.
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May - 3 
Troopers from the Karativu STF camp conducted a search in the Karakadapalliya area and recovered one pistol, 60 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades.
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Troopers from the Karativu STF camp conducted a search in the Karakadapalliya area and recovered one pistol, 60 rounds of ammunition and two hand grenades.
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May - 3 
Troops conducting security surveillance in the east found 500 grenades from the Thihilaveddi area of Batticaloa District on May 3.
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Troops conducting security surveillance in the east found 500 grenades from the Thihilaveddi area of Batticaloa District on May 3.
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May - 3 
Troops during a search and clear operation in the Puttur area found sixty 81-mm mortar bombs.
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Troops during a search and clear operation in the Puttur area found sixty 81-mm mortar bombs.
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May - 3 May - 4
Troops that stormed a section of LTTE-built earth bund in the stretch of land between the Paranthan-Mullaitivu (A-35) road and the Nanthikandal lagoon on May 3 expanded their advance by another 250 metres by the evening of May 4 while closing in on K
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Troops that stormed a section of LTTE-built earth bund in the stretch of land between the Paranthan-Mullaitivu (A-35) road and the Nanthikandal lagoon on May 3 expanded their advance by another 250 metres by the evening of May 4 while closing in on Karaiyamullivaikal area, SLA reported. Subsequently, the SFs recovered four LTTE motorbikes, four T-56 weapons, two T-81 weapons, two GPS, two compasses, one tractor engine, 45 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, 1900 machine gun ammunition rounds, one Canon still camera, 24 personal diaries, 40 machine gun rounds and a few more LTTE items from these areas.
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May - 4 
At least 25-30 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed or severely injured during intermittent clashes with the troops in the area west of Vellamullivaikkal inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District during the past 36
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At least 25-30 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed or severely injured during intermittent clashes with the troops in the area west of Vellamullivaikkal inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District during the past 36 hours ending in the morning of May 4, reports Sri Lanka Army (SLA). A few soldiers also sustained injuries in the fighting. The report said that the Security Forces (SFs) continued to consolidate their positions and countered heavy LTTE resistance during their advance further inside the NFZ. The LTTE has been confided to an area less than five square kilometres on the coast of Mullaitivu District, adds The Hindu.
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May - 4 
On May 4, troops in the Visuamadukulam, Kilinochchi, Puthukkudiyiruppu west, Udayarkattu, Alankulam and Ampakamam areas recovered three T-81 weapons, two T-56 weapons, one sniper weapon, sixty 60-mm mortar bombs, three Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG)
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On May 4, troops in the Visuamadukulam, Kilinochchi, Puthukkudiyiruppu west, Udayarkattu, Alankulam and Ampakamam areas recovered three T-81 weapons, two T-56 weapons, one sniper weapon, sixty 60-mm mortar bombs, three Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), 16 kilograms of C-4 explosives, 54 hand grenades, 67 training hand grenades, 2530 anti-personnel mines (APMs) of P-4 mark 01 and four other APMs, one 2.5 kilograms claymore mine, thirty-seven 1.5 kilograms claymore mines, eight 81-mm mortar bombs, one Arul bomb, 22 rounds of pistol ammunition, one 12.7 mm weapon tripod, 510 unidentified mortar fuses, 240 rounds of T-56 ammunition and one Light Machine Gun drum, 57 handcuffs, 86 large tractor tyres, one 1.5 kv generator, one motor cycle, one Latex double door bus, eight empty fuel tanks, 28 gas cylinders, five iron ball barrels and 15 barbed wire rolls, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 4 
Pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net accused that the Army during the weekend had deployed its troops for a major onslaught, according to The Hindu. "All kinds of heavy weapons, including prohibited ones, are ready for deployment on the NFZ," it said. The mili
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Pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net accused that the Army during the weekend had deployed its troops for a major onslaught, according to The Hindu. "All kinds of heavy weapons, including prohibited ones, are ready for deployment on the NFZ," it said. The military, meanwhile, denied the charge and said that as per policy the troops do not use heavy weapons in taking on the LTTE inside the NFZ.
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May - 4 
Sri Lanka on May 4 urged the international community to provide US $ 50 million in order to meet urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced in the North. A local newspaper quoting an official said that "the Government asked for this aid package solel
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Sri Lanka on May 4 urged the international community to provide US $ 50 million in order to meet urgent humanitarian needs of the displaced in the North. A local newspaper quoting an official said that "the Government asked for this aid package solely for the benefit of the internally displaced persons who have now been accommodated at welfare camps and villages in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna." A meeting chaired by Sri Lanka Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe was recently held in Colombo with the participation of representatives of UN agencies and donor countries. The paper also reported that the Sri Lanka Government was expecting a positive response from the donor community within the next few days in this regard. Over 185,000 civilians who fled the LTTE control are sheltered in the welfare centers. Another 50,000 are still trapped in the NFZ and being held by the LTTE as human shields.
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May - 4 
The Government said the second phase of resettling the displaced would commence on May 11 with 2100 people belonging to 520 families in the Mannar District. The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services and Resettlement said steps were being taken to rese
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The Government said the second phase of resettling the displaced would commence on May 11 with 2100 people belonging to 520 families in the Mannar District. The Ministry of Disaster Relief Services and Resettlement said steps were being taken to resettle more displaced in the Arippu area of Mannar District.
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May - 4 
The Hindu reports that the Special Task Force personnel in Komari and Pothuvil areas of Ampara District foiled a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) infiltration bid, killing four militants on May 4.
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The Hindu reports that the Special Task Force personnel in Komari and Pothuvil areas of Ampara District foiled a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) infiltration bid, killing four militants on May 4.
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May - 4 
The LTTE on May 4 urged Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to facilitate a cease-fire in the island nation, according to Times of India. The appeal was made in a telephonic conversation between Ravi Shankar and B. Nadesan, chief of the politi
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The LTTE on May 4 urged Indian spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar to facilitate a cease-fire in the island nation, according to Times of India. The appeal was made in a telephonic conversation between Ravi Shankar and B. Nadesan, chief of the political wing of the LTTE. Nadesan said thousands of people "are suffering due to an acute shortage of food and medical facilities" in the narrow strip of land still held by the LTTE. He said that the LTTE was "ready for peace and requested Ravi Shankar to do the needful to facilitate a ceasefire".
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May - 4 
The Tamil United National Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree, in a letter addressed to President Mahinda Rajapakse, has suggested that an international agency acceptable to the Government be selected to visit Wanni and persuade the LTTE to allow i
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The Tamil United National Front (TULF) leader V. Anandasangaree, in a letter addressed to President Mahinda Rajapakse, has suggested that an international agency acceptable to the Government be selected to visit Wanni and persuade the LTTE to allow innocent people to go free, with an offer of general amnesty to LTTE cadres who surrender with arms, reported Colombo Page. "A period of two weeks may be given to the agency to make the necessary arrangements. If such an arrangement is not made to bring out the civilians safely, the whole thing will end up in a national disaster detrimental to the good name of the country," he said in the letter sent on May 1. The TULF leader said the number of those stranded in Wanni was over 1,50,000. He said it was very unfortunate that though aerial bombing had stopped, shelling and artillery attacks had been taking place during the last three days. "I wish to point out that the military action that is going on, apart from causing several casualties among the IDPs [Internally Displaced Persons] in Wanni, the fear and tension this is causing to those IDPs who have already come into the welfare centres will have serious repercussions on them since most of their relatives are still in Wanni." The letter further said there was an acute shortage of food and people were on the verge of starvation. It was on April 2 that they received 1,100 metric tonnes of food items, it said. "Since then, on the 28th and 29th 30 metric tonnes was received each day. Sugar received on these two consignments is only 1,000 kg each. Hence, please direct the authorities concerned to dispatch sufficient stock of food items and drugs immediately to Wanni," it added.
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May - 4 
The UN Security Council will continue to conduct informal discussions and media briefings on Sri Lanka with the participation of the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka. Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation assuming hi
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The UN Security Council will continue to conduct informal discussions and media briefings on Sri Lanka with the participation of the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka. Vitaly Churkin, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation assuming his position as the President of the Security Council for May briefed on the Council's programme of work for the month. Responding to a question from media whether Russia opposes any discussions on Sri Lanka, Churkin said the Council does not oppose the informal discussions on Sri Lanka as they have been structured very appropriately including the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka. The Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka has accepted the possibility of such informal discussions with briefings, the Security Council President said. "As we are discussing that we should not lose the fact that the government of Sri Lanka is fighting a difficult enemy and an organization officially branded in many quarters as a terrorist organization. Everybody accepts the fact that they (LTTE) are the ones that conducting themselves most inhumanely retaining civilians as human shields, their behaviour is obviously unacceptable," Churkin added.
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May - 4 
The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka said on May 4 that they have not released any casualty figures publicly and circulated to the diplomatic community in Colombo as Associated Press reports said, according to Colombo Page. Issui
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The United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka said on May 4 that they have not released any casualty figures publicly and circulated to the diplomatic community in Colombo as Associated Press reports said, according to Colombo Page. Issuing a statement over the controversial document, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka said that it has received a number of queries regarding the casualty figures. "The UN Under-Secretary General John Holmes has clarified since that these figures were drawn from an internal working document which is based on information that cannot be fully, reliably, and independently assessed, because of limits on access to civilians in the combat zone. Hence they have not been released publicly, and the figures cited were not circulated by this office to the diplomatic corps," it said. The statement added that "The overall view of the UN on any particular situation comes from statements by the Secretary General or other senior UN figures, who have regularly recorded their concerns about the high toll fighting over the last three months has taken on civilian lives." The Resident Coordinator said the UN in Sri Lanka remains fully committed to supporting the Sri Lankan Government to meet its responsibility to protect civilians in this conflict, and for the provision of humanitarian assistance to those displaced. Associated Press in a report on April 24 citing a UN document circulated among diplomatic missions in Colombo said at least 6,432 civilians were killed in the intense fighting over the past three months and 13,946 wounded. The report further said the document was given to the news agency by a foreign diplomat and the casualties were reported as "verified data" in the document.
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May - 4 
Troops engaged in continuous search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Visuamadukulam, Ramanathapuram, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Kuppilankulam areas recovered six T-56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), 125 Rocket Propeller Grenad
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Troops engaged in continuous search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Visuamadukulam, Ramanathapuram, Puthukkudiyiruppu and Kuppilankulam areas recovered six T-56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), 125 Rocket Propeller Grenades (RPG), 30 bombs, three sea mines, 15 hand grenades, one tractor engine, one generator, 12 MPMG links, 150 claymore mines, two hundred and thirty-two 120-mm mortar bombs, fifteen 82-mm mortar bombs, two 81-mm mortar bombs, three 60-mm mortar bombs, eight Arul bombs, 200 pouches, 151 anti-personnel mines (APMs), 480 chargers, 400 electric detonators, 72 training hand grenades, 200-metre long safety fuses, 150-metre long flexible wire, 115 T-56 magazines, five kilograms C-4 explosives, 10 kilograms Tri Nitro Toluene explosives and 60 APMs.
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May - 5 
According to Jane's Intelligence Review, Cambodia has been a significant source of the LTTE weapons. The rest have come from places such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Turkey and Ukraine. The arms broker behind the purchases is alleged to be K
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According to Jane's Intelligence Review, Cambodia has been a significant source of the LTTE weapons. The rest have come from places such as North Korea, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Turkey and Ukraine. The arms broker behind the purchases is alleged to be Kumaran Pathmanadan alias K.P.
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May - 5 
Colombo Page reports that a video camera recovered by the soldiers from a slain LTTE militant provides rare proof that the outfit is forcibly recruiting civilians to fight their last battle. Troops of the 58th Division recovered the video camera duri
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Colombo Page reports that a video camera recovered by the soldiers from a slain LTTE militant provides rare proof that the outfit is forcibly recruiting civilians to fight their last battle. Troops of the 58th Division recovered the video camera during ground operations in south of Vellamullivaikkal in the NFZ. The video shows how civilians are brought by an armed militant to build bunkers and earth bunds. The same video shows how the militant in civilian clothes firing a paddle gun in an armour plated vehicle to at the troops and later civilians helping to camouflage the truck with tree branches. Defence sources said the troops surrounded the armed vehicle and killed all the militants during the operation. The military has captured two such vehicles in the NFZ. Defence sources also said militants are now fighting in civilian clothes to inflate the claims of civilian deaths.
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May - 5 
During a snap search and clear operation on May 5 in Paranthan area, troops recovered one T-56 weapon, one magazine and thirty rounds of ammunitions, according to report of the Sri Lanka Army.
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During a snap search and clear operation on May 5 in Paranthan area, troops recovered one T-56 weapon, one magazine and thirty rounds of ammunitions, according to report of the Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 5 
National Post reports that the Sri Lankan Government estimates that it has captured Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) armaments worth almost $20-million so far from the Northern Province. The troops have seized an array of arms, including ass
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National Post reports that the Sri Lankan Government estimates that it has captured Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) armaments worth almost $20-million so far from the Northern Province. The troops have seized an array of arms, including assault rifles, artillery guns and a battle tank. Almost 100,000 small arms have also been seized along with approximately one million rounds of ammunition and nearly 30,000 land mines. At two military bases in Kilinochchi, the National Post was shown weapons the Army said it had found in the country's northern jungles. There were 2,700 improvised explosive devices, 6,300 hand grenades and 4,000 bombs, in addition to anti-aircraft guns, artillery guns, mortars, 33 GPS devices and a half-dozen satellite phones.
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May - 5 
President Mahinda Rajapakse is to meet pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians to discuss the welfare facilities of Internally Displaced Persons in the North, according to Colombo Page. Presidential
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President Mahinda Rajapakse is to meet pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarians to discuss the welfare facilities of Internally Displaced Persons in the North, according to Colombo Page. Presidential Media Unit said this special meeting is scheduled to be held in the evening of May 5 (today) at the Temple Trees. According to the Media Unit, the President hopes to discuss a political solution to the ethnic conflict too in the North with the TNA parliamentarians at the meeting. However, the Tamil parliamentarians have not announced their decision yet over the participation in this special meeting. The TNA have ignored an earlier invitation by the President to participate in a special discussion with him last March.
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May - 5 
Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told the Parliament on May 5 that intelligence reports revealed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran remained trapped within a four square kilometre area in the No Fire
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Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told the Parliament on May 5 that intelligence reports revealed that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran remained trapped within a four square kilometre area in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) on which Security Forces have now laid siege, according to Daily News. "The State intelligence services have confirmed that Prabhakaran is in this area and Security Forces have taken all possible steps to ensure he won’t get away," he said moving the motion to extend the emergency regulations by another month. He also said "international puppets" are attempting to save the life of Prabhakaran by exerting pressure on the Government. "But as a Government we are not ready to bow-down to these international forces…" he stated. "A certain section attempted to misinterpret the Government’s decision not to use heavy weapons, as a ceasefire. The Government has no intention whatsoever to go for a ceasefire with LTTE terrorists who are now in their death-bed," he said. The Prime Minister also said the Armed Forces have so far rescued the lives over 128,000 innocent civilians who were kept hostage by the LTTE.
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May - 5 
Sri Lanka Army said that strength of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have been reduced to only 300 fighters in Northeast coast as the Army advances to end a 26-year civil war, reports Bloomberg. Troops captured two more LTTE stron
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Sri Lanka Army said that strength of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have been reduced to only 300 fighters in Northeast coast as the Army advances to end a 26-year civil war, reports Bloomberg. Troops captured two more LTTE strongholds in the strip of land the rebels are occupying near the port of Mullaitivu, the Army said on May 5. The LTTE are currently operating in about 5 square kilometre area in a Government- declared safe zone for civilians, source said. “The rebels have lost all their strengths in the sea and air,” said the Government source. “The only reason the war is dragging on is that tens of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the war zone, ” source added.
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May - 5 
Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants triggered off a claymore mine explosion targeting a tractor at Weliara in the Moneragala District in the morning of May 5 killing one person, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara t
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Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants triggered off a claymore mine explosion targeting a tractor at Weliara in the Moneragala District in the morning of May 5 killing one person, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Daily News. The claymore mine was placed under an electric fence which was set up by the Pelwatte Sugar Corporation to keep away elephants. "There is no troop movement or Army detachment in this area. It is very obvious that the LTTE cadres are attempting to scare civilians and create psycho panic among settlers in the area," he added.
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May - 5 
The Australian reports that the LTTE has demanded direct foreign aid for people in their shrinking patch of land after accusing the Government of blocking essential supplies. The LTTE said civilians living in their remaining territory were facing "st
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The Australian reports that the LTTE has demanded direct foreign aid for people in their shrinking patch of land after accusing the Government of blocking essential supplies. The LTTE said civilians living in their remaining territory were facing "starvation" because the Colombo-based Government was allegedly blocking food and medical supplies. "We draw attention to the nine deaths by starvation in the last few days and the real fear that the death toll could rise exponentially in the coming days," the LTTE said in a statement. They also said that ethnic Tamils living overseas were ready to send food and medicine to the besieged areas. "We expect the international community to extend moral, political and logistical support to implement this initiative," the release said.
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May - 5 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants launched indiscriminate small arms fire attacks at hostages who were fleeing from the outfit held area of Vellamullivaikkal in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District aboard 15 fishing boats
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants launched indiscriminate small arms fire attacks at hostages who were fleeing from the outfit held area of Vellamullivaikkal in the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District aboard 15 fishing boats in the morning of May 5, reported Defense.lk. A LTTE second line leader, identified as Seelambu, is reported to have ordered the assault targeting the civilians. According to intercepted LTTE transmission, a few civilians have reportedly died in the incident.
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May - 5 
The Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists, currently confined to a mere land stretch of about 5 kilometres in the ‘No Fire Zone’ (NFZ) with the intention of blocking troop movements, continued firing on the troops inside the NFZ during
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The Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists, currently confined to a mere land stretch of about 5 kilometres in the ‘No Fire Zone’ (NFZ) with the intention of blocking troop movements, continued firing on the troops inside the NFZ during May 5.
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May - 5 
The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party has once again decided to reject President Mahinda Rajapakse’s invitation for a special discussion in the evening of May 5, reports Colombo Page. As reported earlier, the President on May 4 had invited
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The pro-LTTE Tamil National Alliance (TNA) party has once again decided to reject President Mahinda Rajapakse’s invitation for a special discussion in the evening of May 5, reports Colombo Page. As reported earlier, the President on May 4 had invited the TNA parliamentarians for a special meeting to discuss the welfare facilities of Internally Displaced Persons in the North and a political solution to the ethnic conflict. The TNA have ignored an earlier invitation by President Rajapakse to participate in a special discussion with him in March 2009.
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May - 5 
Troops engaged in hostage rescue mission have further advanced towards Karayamulliavaikkal amid stiff resistance of the LTTE terrorists making desperate attempts to hold their remaining grounds. Infantrymen of 58 Division on offensive march towards L
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Troops engaged in hostage rescue mission have further advanced towards Karayamulliavaikkal amid stiff resistance of the LTTE terrorists making desperate attempts to hold their remaining grounds. Infantrymen of 58 Division on offensive march towards LTTE built earth bund inflicted heavy damages to the enemy manning the bund. Intercepting LTTE radio communications, Electronic Warfare (EW) sources have confirmed terrorists received maximum damages during the confrontations that took place on May 5. According to the information received from the battlefield, troops are now consolidating the newly gained positions.
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May - 5 
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Sri Lanka Government to stop using heavy weapons that risk civilian lives and to suspend its offensive against ethnic Tamil rebels so that as many as 250,000 civilians desperately needed aid
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United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Sri Lanka Government to stop using heavy weapons that risk civilian lives and to suspend its offensive against ethnic Tamil rebels so that as many as 250,000 civilians desperately needed aid can be sent to the war zone, reports Associated Press. Ban spoke to President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the telephone in the night of May 5 amid heavy international pressure for a humanitarian cease-fire in the conflict. Rajapaksa has brushed off such calls, saying a truce would give the rebels a chance to regroup. Speaking to reporters in New York, Ban said he asked Rajapaksa for "a humanitarian pause in the fighting" to allow aid into the conflict zone and urged the Government to stop using heavy weapons in areas heavily populated by civilians.
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May - 6 
According to Times of India, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian wing said on May 6 that over 192, 000 civilians have fled the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, where clashes continue between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil E
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According to Times of India, the United Nations (UN) humanitarian wing said on May 6 that over 192, 000 civilians have fled the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, where clashes continue between Government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists. Although the number of registered Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has increased, it is not due to new arrivals, and there are still no reports of more people in transit for days, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted. OCHA estimates that around 50,000 more civilians remain trapped in the conflict zone, a shrinking pocket of land on the north-east coastline, and that they are in dire need of food aid and medical supplies.
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May - 6 
Clashes continued in the Vellamullivaikkal area on May 6 when advancing troops met LTTE resistance. During subsequent search operations, troops recovered dead bodies of three LTTE terrorists, two T-56 weapons and one communication set from the area.
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Clashes continued in the Vellamullivaikkal area on May 6 when advancing troops met LTTE resistance. During subsequent search operations, troops recovered dead bodies of three LTTE terrorists, two T-56 weapons and one communication set from the area.
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May - 6 
Sri Lankan Government has rejected international calls for a cease-fire, saying it is on the brink of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in the South Asian island nation.
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Sri Lankan Government has rejected international calls for a cease-fire, saying it is on the brink of defeating the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which is fighting for a separate Tamil homeland in the South Asian island nation.
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May - 6 
Troops recovered 45 T-56 weapons, two I-com sets, five rounds of 130 mm artillery shells, 2070 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one 25 kilogram claymore mine, two Out Board Motors (OBM), six Light Machine Guns (LMG), 58 hand grenades, five terrorist-made
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Troops recovered 45 T-56 weapons, two I-com sets, five rounds of 130 mm artillery shells, 2070 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one 25 kilogram claymore mine, two Out Board Motors (OBM), six Light Machine Guns (LMG), 58 hand grenades, five terrorist-made Arul bombs, one lorry , a stock of iron balls weighing about 100 kilogram and one LTTE criminal code book during search and clear operations in Ampalavanpokkanai, Nelwelikulam, Kuppilankulam, Waduvakkal, Murusumudai and Nachchikuda on May 6.
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May - 6 
Troops also conducting search and clear operations in Vellamullivaikkal, Karayanmullivaikkal and other areas including Ampakamam, Puthukkudiyiruppu west and Akkarayankulam recovered thirteen more T-56 weapons, four T-56 magazines, one box of T-56 am
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Troops also conducting search and clear operations in Vellamullivaikkal, Karayanmullivaikkal and other areas including Ampakamam, Puthukkudiyiruppu west and Akkarayankulam recovered thirteen more T-56 weapons, four T-56 magazines, one box of T-56 ammunition, one T-81 weapon, one gas pistol, two boxes of FNC ammunition, fifty-three hand grenades, thirty rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, three Arul bombs produced by terrorists, eight rounds of 60 mm mortars, nine claymore mines, 15 empty barrels of 200 litre capacity, nine outboard motors, 150 rolls of steel wire, 30 padlocks, one Mullaittivu area map, one shot gun, 64 barrels of 210 litre capacity containing 13,440 litre of kerosene oil, one communication equipment, one man pack, one field bandage and three color bands.
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May - 7 
A military spokesman said that the troops had breached the last earthen fortification, bringing them to 800 metres of the LTTE leadership, adds PTI. Though estimates are not available, military sources said that between 500 to 1,000 hardcore Black Ti
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A military spokesman said that the troops had breached the last earthen fortification, bringing them to 800 metres of the LTTE leadership, adds PTI. Though estimates are not available, military sources said that between 500 to 1,000 hardcore Black Tigers have formed a last wall of defence around the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and others. The spokesman also adds that the LTTE are deploying suicide bombers in large numbers to slow down the Sri Lankan advance.
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May - 7 
An unspecified number of dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists were found scattered along with their weapons, when troops captured the last LTTE built earth bund in the south of Karayanmullivaikkal in the morning of May 7,
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An unspecified number of dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists were found scattered along with their weapons, when troops captured the last LTTE built earth bund in the south of Karayanmullivaikkal in the morning of May 7, according to a report of the Sri Lanka Army. Troops subsequently recovered six T-56 weapons of the LTTE. Meanwhile, several soldiers also sustained injuries in the string of pitched battles in the remaining strip of land in the No Fire Zone (NFZ).
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May - 7 May - 8
At least 45 civilians were killed and more than 197 injured as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued heavy shelling with cluster-munitions on civilian targets in the Mullivaikkal area of the No Fire zone in the Mullaitivu District throughout May 7 and M
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At least 45 civilians were killed and more than 197 injured as the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued heavy shelling with cluster-munitions on civilian targets in the Mullivaikkal area of the No Fire zone in the Mullaitivu District throughout May 7 and May 8, claims pro-Liberation tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Web Site Tamil Net.
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May - 7 
Some 150 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathisers carrying flags and chanting slogans attacked the Chinese Embassy in London on May 7, reports Times of India. Supporters of the banned LTTE attacked the Chinese Embassy and damaged many wi
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Some 150 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) sympathisers carrying flags and chanting slogans attacked the Chinese Embassy in London on May 7, reports Times of India. Supporters of the banned LTTE attacked the Chinese Embassy and damaged many windows of the office while trying to enter inside the building, Police said. Three protesters were arrested but later released on bail.
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May - 7 
Troops continued their search and clear operations in the Karayamullivaikkal, Wadduvakal, Uruthirapuram and Mulankavil areas on May 7 and recovered dead bodies of two LTTE militants along with six T-56 weapons, one binocular, three I-com sets, six r
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Troops continued their search and clear operations in the Karayamullivaikkal, Wadduvakal, Uruthirapuram and Mulankavil areas on May 7 and recovered dead bodies of two LTTE militants along with six T-56 weapons, one binocular, three I-com sets, six rounds of 81 mm mortar booby traps, 500 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, eight mine fields, 27 hand grenades, 163 anti personnel mines, 12 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, 3450 rounds of T-56 ammunition, three claymore mines, 10 anti personnel fuses, five 81 mm mortar bombs, 106 81 mortar chargers, three 120 mm mortar bombs and ten 120 mm mortar chargers, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 7 
Troops recovered one 60-feet long huge monstrous cylindrical metal structure, identical to a device enabling to live underwater, from Irattavaikkal on May 7.
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Troops recovered one 60-feet long huge monstrous cylindrical metal structure, identical to a device enabling to live underwater, from Irattavaikkal on May 7.
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May - 8 
At least 35 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed on May 8, as the advancing troops took full control of the last outfit’s defensive earth bund in the Mullaitivu District, according to Xinhuanet. The troops have completely cle
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At least 35 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed on May 8, as the advancing troops took full control of the last outfit’s defensive earth bund in the Mullaitivu District, according to Xinhuanet. The troops have completely cleared the Karyamullvaikkal area, Defence officials said on May 9 (today). Currently the LTTE is limited to an area of just three square kilometres, added the official. As reported earlier, an unspecified number of dead bodies of LTTE militants were found scattered along with their weapons, when troops captured the last LTTE built earth bund in the south of Karayanmullivaikkal in the morning of May 7.
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May - 8 
The Sri Lankan military on May 8 demarcated a new No Fire Zone (NFZ) to match the current situation, reports Colombo Page. Announcing its decision, the military said that it is now in full control of more than 2/3rd of the existing Putumatalam NFZ.
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The Sri Lankan military on May 8 demarcated a new No Fire Zone (NFZ) to match the current situation, reports Colombo Page. Announcing its decision, the military said that it is now in full control of more than 2/3rd of the existing Putumatalam NFZ. The new NFZ is restricted to an area of two kilometres in length and 1.5 kilometres in width south of Karayamullivaikkal, including Vellamullivaikkal in the narrow strip along the north-eastern coast of Mullaitivu. "This has been modified to match with the present situation and after considering the concentration of civilians in the area," the Army source said. The re-demarcation of the new NFZ followed the complete capture of possibly the last LTTE-built earth bund in the Karayanmullivaikkal on May 8 amid fierce fighting between the troops of 58th Division troops and the LTTE.
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May - 9 
According to Times of India, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), pushed to a narrow stretch in Sri Lanka by its Army, is trying to infiltrate into India through the western coast, an Indian Navy said on May 9. "As the Navy is closely monito
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According to Times of India, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), pushed to a narrow stretch in Sri Lanka by its Army, is trying to infiltrate into India through the western coast, an Indian Navy said on May 9. "As the Navy is closely monitoring the Tamil Nadu coast, we realised that people from Sri Lanka, including LTTE cadres, were trying to illegally enter from the west coast," said flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral S.K. Damle.
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May - 9 May - 11
More than 5200 civilians were reported killed during past 48 hours inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District, reported the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net on May 11 (today). Lawrence Christy, chief of the Tami
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More than 5200 civilians were reported killed during past 48 hours inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District, reported the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net on May 11 (today). Lawrence Christy, chief of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organisation (TRO) field office, on May 11 put the death toll of civilians in Sri Lanka Army’s (SLA) shelling at more than 3,200 killed since the evening of May 10 up to the morning of May 11. The SLA offensive formations were firing using cannons, 50 calibre machine guns, artilleries, mortar and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher guns, the report added. Earlier, Tamil Net claimed that indiscriminate shelling by the SLA inside the NFZ starting from the night of May 9 to the morning of May 10 killed more than 2,000 civilians, including women and children.
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May - 9 
Nine civilians died and 19 others sustained injuries when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists opened fire on them at “No Fire Zone” on May 9, according to a report of Sri Lanka Army. The report adds that estimated 303 escapees wer
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Nine civilians died and 19 others sustained injuries when the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorists opened fire on them at “No Fire Zone” on May 9, according to a report of Sri Lanka Army. The report adds that estimated 303 escapees were trying to enter troop-held areas across causeway in Mullaittivu when the LTTE terrorists stormed them and went on a shooting-spree to prevent them from deserting the LTTE.
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May - 9 
On May 9, three child soldiers had surrendered to the Army troops in the Vellamullivaikkal area.
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On May 9, three child soldiers had surrendered to the Army troops in the Vellamullivaikkal area.
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May - 9 May - 11
Tamil Net reported that the LTTE military spokesman Irasiah Punitharooban alias Ilanthirayan alias Marshall sustained heavy injuries in the latest artillery barrage by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the morning of May 9. However, the Defence Ministry We
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Tamil Net reported that the LTTE military spokesman Irasiah Punitharooban alias Ilanthirayan alias Marshall sustained heavy injuries in the latest artillery barrage by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in the morning of May 9. However, the Defence Ministry Website reported that Ilanthirayan had succumbed to his injuries, adds Colombo Page. Heavy fighting that broke out between the two sides during last few days has also killed the deputy leader of the Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE), Chelliyan, on May 7, the military said.
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May - 9 
The Security Forces (SFs) attacked LTTE camps in the Karaiyamullivaikal area inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants on May 9. During subsequent search operations, the SFs recovered two dead bodies of militants along with two T-56 weapons and
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The Security Forces (SFs) attacked LTTE camps in the Karaiyamullivaikal area inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants on May 9. During subsequent search operations, the SFs recovered two dead bodies of militants along with two T-56 weapons and one range finder. The Defence Ministry said that militants have laid landmines in the area to obstruct the advance of the troops, adds The Hindu.
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May - 10 
31 more dead bodies of LTTE militants were recovered by the troops along with a cache of arms ammunition from the Puthukkudiyiruppu west, Puthukkudiyiruppu east, Verakulam, Vellamullivaikkal, Vavunavillu and Allaiwewa areas. Among others, the seizure
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31 more dead bodies of LTTE militants were recovered by the troops along with a cache of arms ammunition from the Puthukkudiyiruppu west, Puthukkudiyiruppu east, Verakulam, Vellamullivaikkal, Vavunavillu and Allaiwewa areas. Among others, the seizure included one 82-mm mortar barrel, two 81-mm mortar barrels, one 60-mm mortar, three 12.7-mm weapons, three MPMG weapon bodies, six Light Machine Guns (LMG), 30 LMG bodies, 37 T-56 weapons, 231 T-56 weapon bodies, 81 T-56 weapon pistons, fifty-eight 9-mm pistols, one anti aircraft gun with weapon mount and sight, hundred MPMG links, two MPMG mounts, seven 152 arty ammunition, three hundred and sixty-seven 81-mm mortar bombs, 283 RPG bombs, ninety-eight 1.5 kilograms claymore mines, 202 two kilograms claymore mines, nine suicide jackets, 12081 electronic detonators, and 253 kilograms of TNT explosives.
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May - 10 
A health official in the region, Dr. V. Shanmugarajah, told foreign media that the initial artillery attack - which lasted from the evening of May 9 to the morning of May 10 - killed at least 378 civilians and wounded more than a thousand more, repor
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A health official in the region, Dr. V. Shanmugarajah, told foreign media that the initial artillery attack - which lasted from the evening of May 9 to the morning of May 10 - killed at least 378 civilians and wounded more than a thousand more, reported Colombo Page.
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May - 10 
Colombo Page reports that the Government is to launch an investigation into the LTTE-run Eelam Bank, where thousands of people had reportedly deposited their money. The authorities plan to find how much money was deposited in this bank and what happe
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Colombo Page reports that the Government is to launch an investigation into the LTTE-run Eelam Bank, where thousands of people had reportedly deposited their money. The authorities plan to find how much money was deposited in this bank and what happened to the money with the liberation of the LTTE held areas in Wanni by the armed forces. Reportedly, following orders from the LTTE, civilians in the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control) have continued to deposit their money in the Eelam Bank instead of depositing in the Government banks. The LTTE has also ordered the Tamil Diaspora to send their contributions to the Eelam Banks located in Wanni.
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May - 10 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse denying LTTE reports of the military killing a large number of civilians said “the LTTE had timed the latest propaganda lie on the eve of an informal session of the UN Security Council scheduled for May 11.“ He t
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse denying LTTE reports of the military killing a large number of civilians said “the LTTE had timed the latest propaganda lie on the eve of an informal session of the UN Security Council scheduled for May 11.“ He told a local newspaper that "the LTTE was making a desperate attempt to force the international community to stop the offensive. We are in the final stage of our offensive and there is absolutely no way the Tigers can get out of this trap." He also blamed the LTTE for opening fire on about 1,000 civilians attempting to reach the Army, deployed south of the NFZ on May 9.
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May - 10 
Following the attack on the Paris Buddhist Temple by a group of LTTE supporters, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Paris urged all Sri Lankans living in France to inform the Police of any threat or attack on them. The Embassy also urged the Sri Lankans to in
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Following the attack on the Paris Buddhist Temple by a group of LTTE supporters, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Paris urged all Sri Lankans living in France to inform the Police of any threat or attack on them. The Embassy also urged the Sri Lankans to inform it about any such development in order to take prompt action. Suspected LTTE supporters attacked the main Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple in Paris in the evening of May 10, the Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry said. A group of masked men damaged the windows of the Temple. The Chief Monk of the Temple, Ven. Paravahera Chandraratane Thero, and another monk had been present at the time, but no one had been hurt. Earlier there were several attacks on Sri Lankan shops in France by suspected LTTE supporters.
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May - 10 
On May 10, the outfit’s attempt to attack the 58th Division troops was repulsed by the SFs. “The terrorists in three boats attacked the troops of 58 Division. Troops repulsed the attacks causing heavy damages to their boats, military spokesman Brigad
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On May 10, the outfit’s attempt to attack the 58th Division troops was repulsed by the SFs. “The terrorists in three boats attacked the troops of 58 Division. Troops repulsed the attacks causing heavy damages to their boats, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.
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May - 10 
On May 10, two anti-aircraft guns of six barrels with 27-mm caliber and mounted on two double cabs along with one 30-mm cannon gun, three hundred and seven 30-mm ammunition rounds, three paddle gun ammunition, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun tripod, 14
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On May 10, two anti-aircraft guns of six barrels with 27-mm caliber and mounted on two double cabs along with one 30-mm cannon gun, three hundred and seven 30-mm ammunition rounds, three paddle gun ammunition, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun tripod, 14 T 56 weapons, two hundred seven rounds of 12.7-mm ammunition, three I-com sets, three suicide jackets, one suicide water scooter and two claymore mines were found by the troops during a search and clear operation in the Karaiyamullivaikal area of Mullaitivu District.
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May - 10 
Over 1500 civilians who were forcibly held by the LTTE crossed over to the cleared areas (area under Government control) amidst heavy resistance by the LTTE on May 10, Daily News. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said “Troops have detected that the LTTE i
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Over 1500 civilians who were forcibly held by the LTTE crossed over to the cleared areas (area under Government control) amidst heavy resistance by the LTTE on May 10, Daily News. Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said “Troops have detected that the LTTE is using heavy weapons to target civilians living in the newly declared No Fire Zone. LTTE cadres started firing mortars to the newly declared No Fire Zone from 9.00 a.m. yesterday from time to time. Our radar system has effectively detected that the LTTE has positioned heavy weapons including mortars in the area.”
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May - 10 
The de-mining process in the Eastern Province is reaching its final stage, the Ministry of Nation Building announced, according to Colombo Page. The Government has commenced the de-mining process of the Eastern Province with the assistance of few for
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The de-mining process in the Eastern Province is reaching its final stage, the Ministry of Nation Building announced, according to Colombo Page. The Government has commenced the de-mining process of the Eastern Province with the assistance of few foreign agencies following the liberation of the entire Province at the end of 2007. According to the Ministry, six teams, including five foreign organizations, are involved in the de-mining activities in Eastern Province at the moment. The Government hopes to complete this process within the next few months and to finalize the resettlement activities in several areas. The ministry has already taken measures to commence the resettlement in the Thoppigala area, where the final stage of the de-mining is currently proceeding.
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May - 10 
The Government on May 10 rejected the LTTE's latest claims that the military had shelled the NFZ in Mullaitivu killing 2,000 civilians in 24 hours and accused the militants of firing mortars at the new NFZ from the positions in the old NFZ, according
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The Government on May 10 rejected the LTTE's latest claims that the military had shelled the NFZ in Mullaitivu killing 2,000 civilians in 24 hours and accused the militants of firing mortars at the new NFZ from the positions in the old NFZ, according to Colombo Page. The Army said the LTTE has positioned their mortars in previously declared NFZ and fired mortars towards the new NFZ. "We have never carried out such attacks on the civilians, this is clearly a fabricated story," military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. "It just propaganda to tarnish the image of the Government forces in the eyes of public nationally and internationally," he added. The military spokesman said the outfit is trying to use civilians as their last weapon to show the world that the Army is firing indiscriminately and stop the offensive. Mortar locating radars of the Army confirmed that the mortar fire was launched from the previously declared NFZ, the Army said. Asked about accounts provided by the Government health officials on the deaths inside the NFZ, an unnamed senior official reminded reporters of the circular issued by the Health Ministry urging the media not to given credence to the versions of its officials stranded in the LTTE-occupied zone, adds The Hindu. “We have no reason to doubt the integrity of the doctors. But the reality is that these officials, like the rest of the civilians, are being held hostage by the LTTE and have no option but to take orders from the Tigers,” he said.
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May - 10 
Troops in the Karaiyamullivaikal, Vellamullivaikkal, Udayarukattukulam and Vavunavillu areas of Mullaitivu District recovered dead bodies of 31 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with 32 T-56 weapons, two Rocket Propelled Grenade
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Troops in the Karaiyamullivaikal, Vellamullivaikkal, Udayarukattukulam and Vavunavillu areas of Mullaitivu District recovered dead bodies of 31 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with 32 T-56 weapons, two Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), four Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMG), one 12.7 weapon, one 40-mm grenade launcher, two I-com sets, two claymore mines, three T-56 magazines, two detonators and two maps, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 11 
A new transit camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has been set up in the Pulmoddai area of Vavuniya District in order to increase facilities to those people arriving from the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control). A Govern
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A new transit camp for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has been set up in the Pulmoddai area of Vavuniya District in order to increase facilities to those people arriving from the un-cleared areas (area not under Government control). A Government official said a special team has been dispatched from Colombo to look into possibilities to provide more facilities in the future. He said that IDPs who are coming through the sea route would be given accommodation in this camp until they are ready to be taken to the Vavuniya IDP centres.
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May - 11 
Colombo Page reports that the Government is to rehabilitate another group of LTTE child soldiers who surrendered to the SFs recently. According to sources, 61 child soldiers have surrendered to the SFs during the past few days. Currently there are fo
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Colombo Page reports that the Government is to rehabilitate another group of LTTE child soldiers who surrendered to the SFs recently. According to sources, 61 child soldiers have surrendered to the SFs during the past few days. Currently there are four centres in Sri Lanka to rehabilitate surrendered child soldiers.
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May - 11 
Expressing deep concern over the civilian deaths in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 11 warned the LTTE for their reckless disrespect for the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in the NFZ and said the LTTE must
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Expressing deep concern over the civilian deaths in Sri Lanka, the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on May 11 warned the LTTE for their reckless disrespect for the safety of thousands of civilians trapped in the NFZ and said the LTTE must immediately allow the remaining civilians in the conflict zone to leave, according to Colombo Page. Issuing a statement through his spokesman, Ban Ki-moon said he is appalled at the killing of hundreds of civilians over the weekend and deeply concerned by the continued use of heavy weapons in this situation. The Secretary-General called on both warring parties to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law warning that the world is watching the events in Sri Lanka closely. "The Secretary-General urges the Government of Sri Lanka to explore all possible options to bring the conflict to an end without further bloodshed and to make public the terms under which that can be achieved without further loss of civilian life, and for the LTTE to give sober and positive consideration of those terms," Secretary-General's statement said.
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May - 11 
Four child soldiers and a LTTE militant surrendered to the Army in the afternoon of May 11.
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Four child soldiers and a LTTE militant surrendered to the Army in the afternoon of May 11.
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May - 11 
On May 11, the Security Forces (SFs) in the Karaiyamullivaikal area recovered the dead body of a female cadre of the LTTE along with four T-56 weapons, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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On May 11, the Security Forces (SFs) in the Karaiyamullivaikal area recovered the dead body of a female cadre of the LTTE along with four T-56 weapons, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 11 
Seven hand grenades, two T-56 magazines, two anti-personnel mines (APMs), three RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, one Box of 12.7-mm ammunition, 2360 rounds of T-56 ammunition, five hundred and seventy-five 81-mm mortar chargers, fifty-six 60-mm mortar
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Seven hand grenades, two T-56 magazines, two anti-personnel mines (APMs), three RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, one Box of 12.7-mm ammunition, 2360 rounds of T-56 ammunition, five hundred and seventy-five 81-mm mortar chargers, fifty-six 60-mm mortar bombs, four 60-mm mortar fuses, three Light Machine Gun (LMG) links, one Bangalore torpedo and one Out Board Motor (OBM) were found by the troops conducting clearing operations in the Madu, Ampakamam and Akkarayankulam areas. Troops also found an LTTE training camp left abandoned by the militants in the Akkarayankulam area of Kilinochchi District.
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May - 11 
Sri Lanka Government doctor V. Shanmugarajah, who works at a makeshift hospital in the war zone, said 393 people were either brought to the hospital for burial or had died at the facility on May 10, while another 37 bodies were brought in the morning
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Sri Lanka Government doctor V. Shanmugarajah, who works at a makeshift hospital in the war zone, said 393 people were either brought to the hospital for burial or had died at the facility on May 10, while another 37 bodies were brought in the morning of May 11. More than 1,300 injured came to the hospital, he added. In addition, a senior UN official in Colombo said on May 11 that reports of large-scale killings in the war zone in Sri Lanka appear to show that fears of bloodbath had become a reality. “We’ve been consistently warning against a bloodbath, and the large-scale killing of civilians including more than 100 children this weekend appears to show that the bloodbath has become a reality,” said UN spokesman Gordon Weiss. The Government, however, in a statement issued on May 11 denied allegations by the LTTE that its Security Forces shelled the recently re-demarcated new NFZ causing thousands civilian casualties. It said that it denies the reports "attributable to sources aligned with or under duress from the LTTE" and said "the Government's view is that to treat the doctor's statement as evidence of irrefutable and incontrovertible fact, is unwise."
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May - 11 
Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters on May 11 attacked the Sri Lankan Embassy at Hague in Netherlands, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said on May 12, according to Colombo Page. It also said the attackers had broken some wind
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Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters on May 11 attacked the Sri Lankan Embassy at Hague in Netherlands, the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry said on May 12, according to Colombo Page. It also said the attackers had broken some window panes and caused damage to the Embassy. However, their attempt to break into the Embassy premises is reported to have failed. The Sri Lanka Embassy while condemning the attack requested the Dutch Government to tighten the security of the mission and ensure the safety of the staff and also launch an immediate inquiry into the incident.
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May - 11 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were reportedly directing fire towards fleeing civilians from the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District, reports Daily News. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara reiterated that mili
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were reportedly directing fire towards fleeing civilians from the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District, reports Daily News. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara reiterated that militants were firing towards civilians on the instructions from their ground commanders or when they cannot control fleeing civilians. He said latest attack by the militants was revealed through intercepts of LTTE communication among ground commanders.
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May - 11 
The military has indicated it is hopeful of neutralising the military capabilities of the LTTE inside the new NFZ in the next 48 hours and paving the way for the release of civilians being held hostage. “On the basis of reports from the military comm
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The military has indicated it is hopeful of neutralising the military capabilities of the LTTE inside the new NFZ in the next 48 hours and paving the way for the release of civilians being held hostage. “On the basis of reports from the military commanders I can say that the troops are poised for a major breakthrough in the next 48 hours. The LTTE would soon lose its wherewithal to offer organised resistance and the troops expect to repeat a feat like on April 20 when the military succeeded in breaching the three-kilometre Tiger earth wall-cum-band and facilitated the escape of 1.16 lakh civilians from the LTTE clutches,” Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Doordarshan in an interview in Colombo on May 11. The Defence Secretary denied reports of shelling on the NFZ by the military and dismissed them as propaganda by the LTTE to coincide with U.N. Security Council meeting on May 11 (today). He accused the LTTE with indiscriminate firing at a group of 1,000 fleeing civilians. The military said 250 of them were either killed or injured in LTTE firing and released purported transcripts of intercepted communication among the militants forcibly stopping civilians. It said the LTTE suffered heavy casualties as the troops pushed deeper into the NFZ. Military spokesperson of the LTTE, Rasiah Ilanthriyan, was among those killed.
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May - 11 
The Security Forces (SFs) in Vishuamadu recovered 11 OBMs, 34 claymore mines, one T-56 weapon, one kilogram of high explosives and 13 maps. Also, troops engaged in continuous search and clear operations in the Mullaitivu, Kokavil, Alleiwewa south an
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The Security Forces (SFs) in Vishuamadu recovered 11 OBMs, 34 claymore mines, one T-56 weapon, one kilogram of high explosives and 13 maps. Also, troops engaged in continuous search and clear operations in the Mullaitivu, Kokavil, Alleiwewa south and Kayhankudi found one LMG, 82350 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 1097 APMs, ten 15 kilograms vehicle bombs and 156 detonator cords.
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May - 11 
The Special Task Force (STF) personnel recovered a cache of arms, including 82,550 T56 rounds of ammunition, hidden inside a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) weapon storage bunker in the Govipalaru area of Ampara District on May 10. The STF re
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The Special Task Force (STF) personnel recovered a cache of arms, including 82,550 T56 rounds of ammunition, hidden inside a Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) weapon storage bunker in the Govipalaru area of Ampara District on May 10. The STF recovered 82,550 T56 ammunition, 1,093 anti personnel mines (APMs), 74 APM fuses, 10 vehicle bombs each weighing 15 kilograms, a Multi Purpose Machine Gun barrel, 150 metres detonator chord, 600 metres wire and a mine stand. Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekera said the STF personnel engaged in search operations in Kanchikudichchiaru to arrest LTTE militants carrying out terror activities in Pottuvil, Panama, Yala, Buttala and Kataragama areas, unearthed a haul of arms and ammunition hidden inside a bunker in a deep jungle area. “It was one of the largest ammunition recovery made by the Security Forces after liberating the East,” he told Daily News.
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May - 11 
Troops conducting search and clear operations in the Vishuamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Mullaitivu District recovered 15 T-56 weapons, one boat, one under ground bunker, one 12.5 kilograms claymore mine, two 2.5 kilograms claymore mines, thirt
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Troops conducting search and clear operations in the Vishuamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Mullaitivu District recovered 15 T-56 weapons, one boat, one under ground bunker, one 12.5 kilograms claymore mine, two 2.5 kilograms claymore mines, thirty-nine 5 kilograms claymore mines, eleven 25 kilograms claymore mines, 148 claymore stands, three hand grenades, one 81-mm mortar, 40 kilograms TNT explosives, one thousand one hundred and ten 82-mm mortar tails, five hundred and twelve 82-mm mortar bombs, eighty-seven 60-mm mortar bombs, six booby traps made using 82-mm mortars, 60 Bangalore torpedoes, three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) tags, 30 LTTE uniforms, one Dialog SIM card, three hundred and ninety 60-mm mortar fuses, 50 Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG) chargers, one round of RPG ammunition, 800 training hand grenades, two pressure mines, ninety-one 120-mm mortar bombs, three thousand 12.7-mm links, one round of T-56 ammunition, one I-com set and one pouch on May 9, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 12 
79 more civilians escaped LTTE-held areas and entered the Government-controlled areas of Karaiyamullivaikal and Mulliveli.
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79 more civilians escaped LTTE-held areas and entered the Government-controlled areas of Karaiyamullivaikal and Mulliveli.
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May - 12 
A local staff member for Caritas Australia, a NGP serving the trapped civilians in NFZ, was killed in the fighting, Colombo Page reported.
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A local staff member for Caritas Australia, a NGP serving the trapped civilians in NFZ, was killed in the fighting, Colombo Page reported.
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May - 12 
Canada said on May 12 that Tamil-Canadian protests in the country show that the LTTE is part of the demonstrations. The Minister of International Co-operation Beverley Oda told the media that "the flags being flown would say to Canadians that ... the
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Canada said on May 12 that Tamil-Canadian protests in the country show that the LTTE is part of the demonstrations. The Minister of International Co-operation Beverley Oda told the media that "the flags being flown would say to Canadians that ... the terrorist organization is part of the demonstrations that happened." Oda said she has seen red flags being flown at the protests bearing the symbol of the outfit. Thousands of people who assembled onto the Gardiner Expressway on May 11 left only after receiving assurances that the Liberals would raise their plight in Parliament. Further, the Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has urged protesters not to carry the LTTE flag at their protests.
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May - 12 
During search and clear operations in the Asikulam area of Vavuniya District, troops recovered one T-81 weapon, one hand grenade, five magazines, 150 ammunition rounds, one mobile phone, five LTTE dog tags, nine batteries, one military-type uniform a
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During search and clear operations in the Asikulam area of Vavuniya District, troops recovered one T-81 weapon, one hand grenade, five magazines, 150 ammunition rounds, one mobile phone, five LTTE dog tags, nine batteries, one military-type uniform and several other items. Separately, two suspects carrying seven kilograms of C-4 explosives were arrested by the SFs in the Pandarikulam area.
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May - 12 
Over 100 Sea Tigers [cadres of the sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] were killed and 17 LTTE boats, including several suicide boats, destroyed in the seas off Mullaitivu by naval troops during the last few weeks, said Navy spok
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Over 100 Sea Tigers [cadres of the sea wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] were killed and 17 LTTE boats, including several suicide boats, destroyed in the seas off Mullaitivu by naval troops during the last few weeks, said Navy spokesman Commander Mahesh Karunaratne told Daily News. Two boats were reportedly captured. Addressing the media on May 12, Commander Karunaratne said, “The Navy foiled several attempts of the Sea Tigers to break the naval defence lines and destroyed 17 LTTE boats and captured two suicide boats. Most of the destroyed boats were on suicide missions. Over 100 sea Tigers were killed during the sea battles that erupted in the seas off Mullaitivu during the last few weeks.” “The LTTE cadres are making desperate attempts to break the highly fortified naval defence lines following orders from their high ranking commanders. They have increased suicide attacks to break the naval blockade. However the naval troops tactically foiled their efforts. The LTTE leadership was aware that the naval defence lines were strengthened, even though the LTTE cadres were ordered to try and destroy the naval blockades to find out any available opportunity. Therefore, the LTTE cadres are deploying small boats packed with at least 50kg of C4 explosives. The Navy is ready to face any eventuality,” Commander Karunaratne added. He said the Navy have rescued over 20,000 civilians fleeing from the LTTE clutches, adding, “We are facing difficulty to differentiate fleeing civilians and the LTTE cadres posing as civilians. However, the naval troops moving recognise the LTTE cadres and civilians.”
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May - 12 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has declared that LTTE's effort to divide the country has been "completely crushed", according to Times of India. "We will not allow any forces to raise their heads to divide this nation," Rajapakse said, adding, the fate
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has declared that LTTE's effort to divide the country has been "completely crushed", according to Times of India. "We will not allow any forces to raise their heads to divide this nation," Rajapakse said, adding, the fate of Sri Lanka seems to be extremely good as shown by "tons and tons" of LTTE weapons now being dug out of underground arsenals by the Security Forces from the Wanni jungles. "If they had been put to use, the country would have had a terrible devastation," the President pointed out, indicating that the sheer speed of the SFs advance had given no time to the LTTE to use them.
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May - 12 
The 59th Division troops after crossing the LTTE constructed earth bund and ditch in the north of the Vadduvakal causeway advanced 300 metres further north. “Advancing troops of the 59 division inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE cadres are now cons
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The 59th Division troops after crossing the LTTE constructed earth bund and ditch in the north of the Vadduvakal causeway advanced 300 metres further north. “Advancing troops of the 59 division inflicting heavy damages to the LTTE cadres are now consolidating their position at the newly established defence line in Sarwathottam located south of the previous NFZ,” the Brigadier added. The militants confined within five square kilometres in the new NFZ are making desperate attempts to hold their position with all means and power they possess, the Brigadier noted. Responding to a question whether LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still in the NFZ, he said according to information Prabhakaran, his second in command and other leaders are still in the NFZ, adding, “They are making desperate attempts to flee from the area.” The SFs advanced further by crossing the Nanthikandal lagoon, adds Colombo Page. The troops have formed an extended defence line around the southern end of the new NFZ covering the entire Nanthikandal lagoon and the surrounding sea beach and linked with the 53rd Division troops who are deployed along the western boundary of the NFZ. The troops of 58th Division have gained control of the northern boundary of the NFZ and are now consolidating their positions. The eastern border of the new NFZ is guarded by the Sri Lankan Navy.
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May - 12 May - 13
The 59th Division troops who reached the south of the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the night of May 12 foiled a major sea and ground attack by the LTTE to recapture the newly liberated areas destroying a number of LTTE suicide boats and killing an unspe
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The 59th Division troops who reached the south of the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the night of May 12 foiled a major sea and ground attack by the LTTE to recapture the newly liberated areas destroying a number of LTTE suicide boats and killing an unspecified number of militants, military officials said on May 13. The fighting broke out at around 9.30pm (SLST) on May 12 as the troops were consolidating their positions along the earth bund they captured after crossing the lagoon in Waddawakkal. “Initially there were huge Tiger suicide boats fitted with high powered engines and two of them rammed into the bunkers held by the troops in the ground. The engines of these suicide boats were so powerful that they can reach the bunkers in the ground once they landed in the beach,” an unnamed military official told Daily News. Another suicide boat that reached the shore after the initial attack was damaged by the troops preventing it reaching the shore. Amid the seaborne attack, more than 100 to 150 militants attempted to breach the newly captured earth bund south of the NFZ but that attempt was also foiled by the SFs killing unspecified number of militants. “Fierce fighting continued till 1 am on Wednesday as the LTTE deployed some of their suicide cadres to breach the Security Forces’ defences,” the official added.
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May - 12 
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said they need 'unimpeded' access to the combat zone in North-eastern Sri Lanka to evacuate the sick and injured civilians and deliver aid. "The plight of the people remaining in the combat area is
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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said they need 'unimpeded' access to the combat zone in North-eastern Sri Lanka to evacuate the sick and injured civilians and deliver aid. "The plight of the people remaining in the combat area is desperate. We need unimpeded access to them in order to save lives," said Paul Castella, ICRC's head of delegation in Sri Lanka. ICRC said heavy fighting in the area on May 12 made it impossible for them to evacuate the sick and wounded with their accompanying relatives from the war zone and to deliver 25 metric tonnes of food. "Lack of security forced our ferry to stay offshore for the entire day today, only kilometres from the conflict area," Castella said. Castella also said the wounded and sick, among them children and elderly people, need to be evacuated as soon as possible but the ICRC-chartered ferry to evacuate them has not been able to reach the conflict area since May 9. The ICRC said since mid-February, it has been able to evacuate nearly 14,000 people from the area and deliver over 2,350 metric tonnes of food and other essential items through the sea route.
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May - 12 
The pro-LTTE party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has pointed out that 3000 Tamils have been killed and more than 1000 have been wounded in the last three days in Wanni region, according to Tamil Net. In a press conference held in Colombo on May 12, T
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The pro-LTTE party Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has pointed out that 3000 Tamils have been killed and more than 1000 have been wounded in the last three days in Wanni region, according to Tamil Net. In a press conference held in Colombo on May 12, TNA parliamentarians also said more than 10,000 Tamil civilians have been killed while more than 20,000 wounded within the last three months.
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May - 12 
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells on the makeshift hospital which was functioning at Mullivaaykkaal junior school inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu district killing at least 47 civilians in the morning of May 12, reported the
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The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) fired artillery shells on the makeshift hospital which was functioning at Mullivaaykkaal junior school inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu district killing at least 47 civilians in the morning of May 12, reported the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net. At least 55 patients sustained serious injuries in the attack.
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May - 12 
Troops in the Puthukkudiyiruppu and Vellamullivaikkal areas of Mullaitivu District found one 27-mm gun, 20 Out Board Motors (OBM), 12 OBM parts, one water-scooter, five Cougar communication sets, seven hand-held communication sets, five Cougar mikes,
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Troops in the Puthukkudiyiruppu and Vellamullivaikkal areas of Mullaitivu District found one 27-mm gun, 20 Out Board Motors (OBM), 12 OBM parts, one water-scooter, five Cougar communication sets, seven hand-held communication sets, five Cougar mikes, one Motorola communication set, one Motorola hand mike, one Motorola battery charger, four radio (type 4700) sets, two hand mikes (Type 9600), 38 T-56 weapons, one magazine, 30 T-56 ammunition, one LTTE dog tag, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG), two RPG chargers and one helmet. Similarly, troops in the Adampan area of Killinochchi District recovered two claymore mines, weighing about 7.5 kilograms and 2.5 kilograms, 4900 T-56 ammunition, two claymore stands, one hand grenade, 400 Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition, four RPG bombs, three RPG chargers, sixty-eight 60-mm mortar bombs, one Bangalore torpedoes, two 160 mm RCL (Recoilless) bombs, 36 anti-personnel mines and five 81-mm mortar bombs.
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May - 12 
Troops of the 58th Division moving from the north entered the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the Mullaitivu District countering the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on May 12, reports Daily News. Addressing the press at the Media Centre for
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Troops of the 58th Division moving from the north entered the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) in the Mullaitivu District countering the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) attacks on May 12, reports Daily News. Addressing the press at the Media Centre for National Security, military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, “Three LTTE suicide bombers hiding inside underground bunkers have blown themselves as advancing 58 division troops closed-in on them. In a subsequent search operation, troops recovered 25 bodies of Tiger cadres, 20 T56 assault rifles and other warlike items.”
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May - 12 
Troops recovered one T-56 weapon with a magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one hand grenade and 2.5 kilograms of explosives from the Gallella area of Polonnaruwa District on May 12, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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Troops recovered one T-56 weapon with a magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one hand grenade and 2.5 kilograms of explosives from the Gallella area of Polonnaruwa District on May 12, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 13 
Colombo Page reports that the SFs captured a 55 feet long LTTE boat filled with 1,500 kilograms of explosives from the Vellamullivaikkal area in the NFZ. The suicide boat plastered with claymore mines around its hull was hidden under bushes by the si
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Colombo Page reports that the SFs captured a 55 feet long LTTE boat filled with 1,500 kilograms of explosives from the Vellamullivaikkal area in the NFZ. The suicide boat plastered with claymore mines around its hull was hidden under bushes by the side of the beach.
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May - 13 
Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (UN) said on May 13 that heavy fighting in the conflict zone prevented the ICRC aid ship reaching its destination, for the second day. The UN spokesperson for Secretary-General, Michele Montas, said at a p
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Colombo Page reports that the United Nations (UN) said on May 13 that heavy fighting in the conflict zone prevented the ICRC aid ship reaching its destination, for the second day. The UN spokesperson for Secretary-General, Michele Montas, said at a press briefing that according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs heavy fighting is continuing with heavy casualties.
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May - 13 
General Officer in-charge of the 58th Division, Brigadier Shavendra de Silva, told The Hindu the Sri Lankan troops were exercising maximum restraint to avoid civilian casualties. He said, “We are proceeding with extreme caution. With the humanitarian
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General Officer in-charge of the 58th Division, Brigadier Shavendra de Silva, told The Hindu the Sri Lankan troops were exercising maximum restraint to avoid civilian casualties. He said, “We are proceeding with extreme caution. With the humanitarian operations reaching a final stage, we believe that the LTTE would be left with no option but to let the civilians out of its grip. Our focus at the moment is on innocent citizens held hostage by the Tigers. We would target the Tiger cadres and leaders only after all the civilians are evacuated from the NSZ.” He also refuted charges of shelling by the military inside the NSZ, saying, “We have documentary evidence to prove that at least on three occasions the Tigers fired artillery within the NFZ. We are ready to share the same with the international community.” He added that the military was also in possession of evidence to show the LTTE was destroying permanent buildings in the NFZ and setting on fire vehicles filled with properties of the civilians.
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May - 13 
Military officials said that with the 58th and 53rd Divisions entering into the new NFZ and 59th Division advancing into the area from the south the LTTE militants have started blasting and destroying their own vehicles and other assets. Troops opera
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Military officials said that with the 58th and 53rd Divisions entering into the new NFZ and 59th Division advancing into the area from the south the LTTE militants have started blasting and destroying their own vehicles and other assets. Troops operating a few hundred metres away from the area where the LTTE is forcibly keeping civilians, have observed many explosions inside the safe zone and the manner in which the LTTE is setting fire to vehicles and other properties. “It seems that the LTTE is making a last minute attempt to tarnish the image of the Security Forces creating massive destruction inside the new safe zone. The LTTE is causing civilian deaths and casualties as they cannot hold into the area with the troops advancing both from the North and South,” a senior military official told Daily News. Reports indicate that the SFs have in the last 48 hours managed to push 800 metres deep inside the NFZ.
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May - 13 
More than 100 civilians, including many children, patients and an International Committee of the Rd Cross (ICRC) worker, were killed in a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery attack that targeted a makeshift hospital and the surrounding areas which compris
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More than 100 civilians, including many children, patients and an International Committee of the Rd Cross (ICRC) worker, were killed in a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) artillery attack that targeted a makeshift hospital and the surrounding areas which comprises of many tarpaulin huts in the Mullivaaykkaal area of Mullaitivu District inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) on May 13, reports pro- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net. The slain doctor was identified as Senthilkumaran, while the slain ICRC worker was identified as Myuran Sivagurunathan. At least 40 persons were injured when the SLA targeted the hospital for the third time within five days. No reports were available on the casualties outside hospital premises as the road remained congested with vehicles moving southwards amid shelling and gunfire over their heads, the Website claimed. Initial estimates varied from 200 to 500 killed within the past 24 hours and there are more than 2,000 seriously injured inside the NFZ, the report added. Meanwhile, the ICRC said an employee was killed near Mullivaaykkaal, adds The Hindu. “This is the third time in just over two months that an ICRC employee has been killed inside the conflict zone,” Paul Castella, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Colombo said, adding, “This latest tragic incident shows how dangerous it is for everyone in the area.”
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May - 13 
On May 13, US President, Barack Obama warning that without urgent action, the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka could turn into a catastrophe, urged the LTTE to lay down their arms and let civilians go. "Their forced recruitment of civilians and their
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On May 13, US President, Barack Obama warning that without urgent action, the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka could turn into a catastrophe, urged the LTTE to lay down their arms and let civilians go. "Their forced recruitment of civilians and their use of civilians as human shields is deplorable. These tactics will only serve to alienate all those who carry them out," Obama said in a statement released to the press. Obama also urged the Sri Lankan Government to halt the fighting and to take several steps to alleviate the humanitarian crisis. "First, the government should stop the indiscriminate shelling that has taken hundreds of innocent lives, including several hospitals, and the government should live up to its commitment to not use heavy weapons in the conflict zone," he urged. Secondly, he said, the Government should give United Nations humanitarian teams access to the civilians who are trapped between the warring parties so that they can receive the immediate assistance necessary to save lives. President Obama also urged the Sri Lankan government to allow the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross access to the nearly 190,000 displaced people at the welfare centers to receive the help they need.
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May - 13 
On the same day, during extended search and clear operations in the Karaiyamullivaikal area — where they had recovered a 55-ft long suicide boat — troops recovered two more suicide boats and two armour-plated unicorn vehicles.
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On the same day, during extended search and clear operations in the Karaiyamullivaikal area — where they had recovered a 55-ft long suicide boat — troops recovered two more suicide boats and two armour-plated unicorn vehicles.
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May - 13 
Police personnel on duty in Batticaloa arrested three suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one 9-mm pistol, eight ammunition, three T-56 magazines, 80 T-56 ammunition and one pouch on May 13, according to a Sri Lanka
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Police personnel on duty in Batticaloa arrested three suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one 9-mm pistol, eight ammunition, three T-56 magazines, 80 T-56 ammunition and one pouch on May 13, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 13 
President Mahinda Rajapakse, by virtue of powers vested in him by Article 33 (f) of the Constitution, has appointed a 19-member Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province. It is mandated to prepare str
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President Mahinda Rajapakse, by virtue of powers vested in him by Article 33 (f) of the Constitution, has appointed a 19-member Presidential Task Force for Resettlement, Development and Security in the Northern Province. It is mandated to prepare strategic plans, programs and projects to resettle internally displaced persons, rehabilitate and develop economic and social infrastructure of the Northern Province.
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May - 13 
The Colombo High Court reissued an open warrant to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and its intelligence leader Pottu Amman in connection with the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Khadirgamar.
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The Colombo High Court reissued an open warrant to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and its intelligence leader Pottu Amman in connection with the assassination of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Khadirgamar. This is the second arrest warrant issued to the duo in 2009. Earlier, the Colombo High Court had issued an arrest warrant on January 26.
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May - 13 
The Security Forces on May 13 recovered 18 powerful claymore mines, 85 kilograms of high-powered explosives, two radio sets and two pull switch from a garage premises on Lucas Mawatha in capital Colombo, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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The Security Forces on May 13 recovered 18 powerful claymore mines, 85 kilograms of high-powered explosives, two radio sets and two pull switch from a garage premises on Lucas Mawatha in capital Colombo, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 13 
The SFs recovered an LTTE Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) from the Karaiyamullivaikal area following an encounter with the militants. “This is the first time the security forces in the Wanni liberation offensive uncovered an MBRL,” a senior milit
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The SFs recovered an LTTE Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) from the Karaiyamullivaikal area following an encounter with the militants. “This is the first time the security forces in the Wanni liberation offensive uncovered an MBRL,” a senior military official said. Troops also recovered 70 T-56 weapons, six light machine guns, two 60-mm mortars and many other LTTE items from the area, adds SLA.
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May - 13 
The Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre based in Kingsbury North West London was attacked in the morning of May 13, Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Thero, the centre head, told BBC Sandeshaya. “The attackers threw stones at the front windows a
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The Sri Saddhatissa International Buddhist Centre based in Kingsbury North West London was attacked in the morning of May 13, Venerable Galayaye Piyadassi Thero, the centre head, told BBC Sandeshaya. “The attackers threw stones at the front windows and fled away,” he said. Blaming the LTTE for the attack, he said that although no one was harmed the loss incurred is heavy. "This is the ninth occasion where the Buddhist Centre has been attacked," he added. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Government called on the British authorities to tighten security to its community and the Buddhist temples there, following the attack on the Kingsbury temple, reports Colombo Page.
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May - 13 
Troops in the Karaiyamullivaikal area of Mullaitivu District recovered 43 dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with 65 T-56 weapons, two body-armours, one pouch, three helmets, 13 explosive cans and one Outboard Moto
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Troops in the Karaiyamullivaikal area of Mullaitivu District recovered 43 dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with 65 T-56 weapons, two body-armours, one pouch, three helmets, 13 explosive cans and one Outboard Motor (OBM) on May 12, reported Sri Lanka Army (SLA).
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May - 13 
Troops on continuous search and clear operations in the Karaiyamullivaikal area of Mullaitivu District recovered dead bodies of 19 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants on May 13, Sri Lanka Army reports. One senior cadre, identified as K
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Troops on continuous search and clear operations in the Karaiyamullivaikal area of Mullaitivu District recovered dead bodies of 19 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants on May 13, Sri Lanka Army reports. One senior cadre, identified as Kannikkaran, was among the dead, troops confirmed. In addition, 21 T 56 weapons, one 12.7-mm weapon, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), one Light Machine Gun, one FNC Weapon, one 12.7mm gun barrel, three claymore mines each weighing about 12.5 kilograms, one disposable Rocket Propeller Grenade (RPG) , one improvised mortar launcher and two I-Com radio sets were also recovered from the same area.
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May - 13 
Troops recovered one MPMG, one MPMG drum, 104 MPMG links with 50 ammunition, two MPMG top covers, 51 anti-personnel mines, eleven 60-mm mortar bombs, two booby traps, three T -56 weapons, seven T-56 magazines, 25 TNT slabs weighing about 475 grams, 3
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Troops recovered one MPMG, one MPMG drum, 104 MPMG links with 50 ammunition, two MPMG top covers, 51 anti-personnel mines, eleven 60-mm mortar bombs, two booby traps, three T -56 weapons, seven T-56 magazines, 25 TNT slabs weighing about 475 grams, 35 electric detonators, six RPG bombs, 21 Out Board Motors and one hand grenade from the Vishuamadu and Udayarukattukulam areas of Mullaitivu and Nachchikuda and Chempankundu in the Kilinochchi Districts.
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May - 13 
Troops recovered thirty-five 60-mm mortar bombs, one hundred 0.5 ammunition, 1550 Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition from the Chundikulam area. Further, three T-56 weapons, 12 hand grenades, two magazines, 47 rounds of T-56 ammunition and tw
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Troops recovered thirty-five 60-mm mortar bombs, one hundred 0.5 ammunition, 1550 Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) ammunition from the Chundikulam area. Further, three T-56 weapons, 12 hand grenades, two magazines, 47 rounds of T-56 ammunition and two pouches were found by the troops in Asikulam area. Similarly, the Security Forces (SFs) recovered six OBMs, one tripod, four 81-mm mortar booby traps, 17 detonators, nine pull-switches, two anti-personnel mines, one C-4 bottle, one machine gun barrel, five Rocket Propelled Grenades, five improvised chargers, two claymore mines and eight hand grenades from the north of Vishuamadu and west of Puthukkudiyiruppu.
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May - 13 
Troops unearthed a stock of LTTE light aircraft accessories buried in a coconut grove at Theravikulam in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area on May 13. The recoveries included four cylinder engines, three propellers, an aircraft radio set, five aircraft main
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Troops unearthed a stock of LTTE light aircraft accessories buried in a coconut grove at Theravikulam in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area on May 13. The recoveries included four cylinder engines, three propellers, an aircraft radio set, five aircraft main wheels, three nose wheels, two partly used main wheels, four pilots’ hand phones, three battery chargers, three digital meters, three computer graphic manuals, ground marshalling torches, flying (aerial) computers, two flying simulation units, 23 runway lights, four head lights, two ordinary runway lights, bolts, transmitters, three marine radars, flying maps, 35 high speed boat engines, a water scooter laden with explosives and an aircraft towing carrier.
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May - 14 
A 32-year-old Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspect committed suicide by jumping out of a seven storied building at 37th Lane in the Wellawatte area of Colombo during a raid conducted by the Security Forces in the night of May 14, reports D
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A 32-year-old Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspect committed suicide by jumping out of a seven storied building at 37th Lane in the Wellawatte area of Colombo during a raid conducted by the Security Forces in the night of May 14, reports Daily News. The suspect, Sathish Kumar, a resident of Jaffna, had been living in Sunflower Court Wellawatte. Police recovered four suicide jackets and a claymore bomb from the flat. According to Wellawatte Police three other suspects who were arrested have been identified as suicide bombers. They were undergraduates of the Moratuwa University, including the one who jumped to his death. Police arrested several persons who were associated with Sathish Kumar and are carrying out further investigations, Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said. The Island adds that a Sri Lanka Army Colonel was arrested over his close links with Sathish Kumar.
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May - 14 
At least 1,700 civilians were killed and over 3,000 wounded within the last 48 hours as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued its indiscriminate shelling inside the new No Fire Zone, according a statement released by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LT
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At least 1,700 civilians were killed and over 3,000 wounded within the last 48 hours as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) continued its indiscriminate shelling inside the new No Fire Zone, according a statement released by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Peace Secretariat in the afternoon of May 14, reported pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net. The catastrophic situation has been made worse by the acute shortage of food and medicine, the statement said, adding, "Local doctors who are trying to work in these hospitals have decided to hand the hospitals over to the ICRC in the hope that under ICRC management the hospitals may be spared from bombardment."
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May - 14 
Recognizing the legitimate right of the Sri Lankan Government to fight terrorism, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on May 14 demanded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms and allow civilians, still trapped in the war
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Recognizing the legitimate right of the Sri Lankan Government to fight terrorism, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on May 14 demanded the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms and allow civilians, still trapped in the war zone, to leave, according to Daily News. Reading out an official statement following a 'closed-door talk' between the members, the Russian Ambassador Vitaly Churkin, said, "Members of the Council strongly condemn the LTTE for its acts of terrorism over many years and for its continued use of civilians as human shield". The statement also stated that the Council acknowledges the right of the Government of Sri Lanka to combat terrorism. Expressing grave concern of the plight of civilians in the shrinking pocket of coastal stretch in the North East where LTTE hold them hostage, the UNSC called on the Government 'to take further steps to facilitate the evacuation of trapped civilians and urgent delivery of humanitarian assistance'. The members of the UNSC expressing their deep concern over reported use of heavy weapons in the conflict zone said they expect the Sri Lankan Government to fulfil its promise not to use heavy weapons, adds Colombo Page. It demanded that both warring parties respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
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May - 14 
Sri Lanka on May 14 rejected international calls to halt its final offensive against LTTE, hours after the UNSC called for civilian lives to be spared. "We are not going to succumb to international pressure to stop the offensive. That is not possible
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Sri Lanka on May 14 rejected international calls to halt its final offensive against LTTE, hours after the UNSC called for civilian lives to be spared. "We are not going to succumb to international pressure to stop the offensive. That is not possible. As a responsible government, we can't guarantee their safety. Even the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) is finding it difficult to deliver food supplies there," said Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, who argued that Sri Lanka was being unfairly targeted. "In Pakistan and Afghanistan there are similar conflicts but no one is asking them to have a peace agreement or a ceasefire," he told reporters. "
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May - 14 
The 59th Division troops on May 14 captured Vadduvakal Bridge that link the Paranthan- Mullaitivu (A-35) road into the Mullaitivu town through Nanthikandal lagoon. “With the capture of this bridge, 59 Division troops have opened up a land route to fa
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The 59th Division troops on May 14 captured Vadduvakal Bridge that link the Paranthan- Mullaitivu (A-35) road into the Mullaitivu town through Nanthikandal lagoon. “With the capture of this bridge, 59 Division troops have opened up a land route to facilitate the civilians reach the south of the Safe Zone,” military officials told Daily News. According to the officials more than 3,000 civilians reached the 59th Division area after crossing the Nanthikandal lagoon using tubes and floating equipment. “Hundreds of civilians were still flowing into military controlled areas by yesterday evening and thousands are waiting to flee towards the military controlled areas,” the officials added. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that at least four civilians were killed and 14 others injured when the militants opened indiscriminate fire at fleeing civilians from Vellamullivaikkal in the No Fire Zone (NFZ). Troops engaged in the final rescue act are now marching ahead to liberate the trapped civilians from the LTTE confined to its last remaining territory in Vellamullivaikkal. “Troops are now manoeuvring further southwards along the coast,” he added. Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said 12 injured civilians were airlifted from Mullayaweli to Anuradhapura hospital. “We have kept stand-by helicopters to airlift the injured civilians fleeing from the NFZ,” he added.
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May - 14 
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched shells fell and exploded in a boat in which 12 persons from Wanni were fleeing to Point Pedro in the night of May 14, killing four persons, reported the pro- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net.
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The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched shells fell and exploded in a boat in which 12 persons from Wanni were fleeing to Point Pedro in the night of May 14, killing four persons, reported the pro- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Website Tamil Net.
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May - 14 
The Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said that the LTTE is preparing for the worst slaughter of civilians with the systematic use of hostages as a weapon of mass destruction, reports The Hindu. “Substantial evidence has surfaced from the battlefront that L
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The Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said that the LTTE is preparing for the worst slaughter of civilians with the systematic use of hostages as a weapon of mass destruction, reports The Hindu. “Substantial evidence has surfaced from the battlefront that LTTE terrorists are using white phosphorous as a weapon in reprehensible attacks at both advancing security forces and hostages fleeing from the LTTE,” it said, adding, “According to reliable ground information received, [the] terrorists are reportedly laying large quantities of white phosphorus surrounding makeshift camps of hostages within the narrow strip of land it still holds, and are burying improvised bombs that would ultimately result in a humanitarian catastrophe, with the bomb explosions leading to phosphorous burns on both civilians and advancing troops.”
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May - 14 
The UN called on Colombo to expedite the screening of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) now staying at dozens of Government camps in the North. “Expediting the screening and separation of former combatants from non-combatant civilians
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The UN called on Colombo to expedite the screening of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) now staying at dozens of Government camps in the North. “Expediting the screening and separation of former combatants from non-combatant civilians would permit a more rapid release of IDPs from the camps and would allow them to enjoy freedom of movement, including an option of staying with host families outside the camps,” said Gordon Weiss, a spokesman for the UN. The Government wants to screen all entrants to separate non-combatant civilians from former LTTE fighters — a process to which the UN has only partial access, at Omanthai, the final screening point before Vavuniya.
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May - 14 
Troops engaged in their final push against LTTE are poised to completely seal off the Eastern coast within the next 24 hours as 58th Division troops advancing towards Mullaitivu from the northern direction reached closer to Mullaitivu front after cap
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Troops engaged in their final push against LTTE are poised to completely seal off the Eastern coast within the next 24 hours as 58th Division troops advancing towards Mullaitivu from the northern direction reached closer to Mullaitivu front after capturing the grounded Jordanian ship Farah III in the Mullaitivu seas by the evening of May 14, military officials said. “By yesterday evening, less than two kilo metres stretch of beach front was under the LTTE control and it would soon be captured by the troops once 58 and 59 Division troops marry up in the North of Mullaitivu completely denying the beach front to the LTTE,” the official added. The Security Forces captured the Jordanian ship Farah III which was used by the LTTE to fire upon the ground troops of both 58th and 59th Divisions advancing on the ground and also towards Navy boats patrolling in the sea off Mullaitivu. The ship which was reportedly being used by the Sea Tigers (sea wing of the LTTE) as their operational centre was seized by the LTTE in December 2006 after it had engine trouble and was awaiting rescue from Colombo. Though the crew and its captain to Mullaitivu were also abducted they were later released to the International Red Cross. According to military officials the advance on the beach front would be much easy with the capture of this ship. Reports also indicate that as troops are closing in on the last terrain of the LTTE, many explosions were heard inside the NFZ and from LTTE camps as the militants blew off their ammunition dumps and other weapons before being captured by the advancing troops.
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May - 15 
A huge influx of civilians once again started to flow into the military controlled areas as Security Forces were ready laying siege on the remaining LTTE-controlled areas on May 15, military officials told Daily News. As of May 15 evening, more than
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A huge influx of civilians once again started to flow into the military controlled areas as Security Forces were ready laying siege on the remaining LTTE-controlled areas on May 15, military officials told Daily News. As of May 15 evening, more than 15,000 civilians have arrived in military controlled areas from the morning of May 15. More than 10,000 civilians arrived by the evening in the 53rd Division area after ground troops advanced further southward of the Vellamullivaikkal area whilst more than 1000 civilians arrived in the 59th Division area crossing the Nanthikandal lagoon, military officials added. "Civilians are arriving in thousands into the 53 Division area along the A-35 road and troops temporarily suspended their military operations to facilitate their arrival by yesterday afternoon," a senior military official added. According to sources from the battleground, LTTE militants have been trapped in a tiny area outside south of Vellamullivaikkal and explosions were heard continuously from the area giving strong indications that they were destroying their arms and ammunition to prevent them being captured by the troops.
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May - 15 
An explosion in the Vellamullivaikkal area targeting the 58th Division troops at the frontal defence positions failed to inflict damages to upon the Security Forces (SFs) as the red-coloured LTTE double cab prematurely exploded and went up in flames
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An explosion in the Vellamullivaikkal area targeting the 58th Division troops at the frontal defence positions failed to inflict damages to upon the Security Forces (SFs) as the red-coloured LTTE double cab prematurely exploded and went up in flames as it was nearing the troops in the opposite direction. At least 4-5 LTTE suicide bombers inside the double cab were reported killed in the huge explosion, according to Sri Lanka Army. In addition, four LTTE militants aboard to motorbikes along the beach sped at a high speed and tried to attack troops on the other side of the beach. However, they failed in their attempt and were shot dead by the SFs. Further, a LTTE tractor with explosives attempted to ram against troops in the opposite direction. However, troops managed to blow up the tractor.
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May - 15 
Army troops continued their advance further into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held areas inside the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) and attacked groups of militants causing extensive damages to the militants on May 15, according to a Sri Lanka
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Army troops continued their advance further into the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held areas inside the new No Fire Zone (NFZ) and attacked groups of militants causing extensive damages to the militants on May 15, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. During subsequent search and clear operations in the Palamattalan area the troops recovered 35 dead bodies of the militants along with 206 T-56 weapons, one 12.7-mm gun, two paddle guns, four Multi Purpose Machine Guns, one Navy-boat gun, one radar, six suicide boats, three Light Machine Guns (LMG), seven FNC weapons, two 2.0-mm grenade launchers, one M-16 weapon, one hundred and twenty-seven 60-mm mortar launchers, sixty-five 60-mm mortar sites, nine Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), twelve 2-mm mortar guns, 18 disposable RPGs, two thermo-baric weapons, 40 hand paras, one 12.7-mm tri-pod, five 12.7 mm barrels, four 12.7 mm drums, five T-56 magazines, two LMG drums, one sniper weapon, four I-com sets, one suicide kit and 60 rounds of T-56 ammunition.
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May - 15 
During their advance into the Mullaitivu front, troops of the 58th Division recovered dead bodies of 40 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants and arrested three female Sea Tigers (cadres of the sea wing of the LTTE) on May 15, according t
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During their advance into the Mullaitivu front, troops of the 58th Division recovered dead bodies of 40 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants and arrested three female Sea Tigers (cadres of the sea wing of the LTTE) on May 15, according to Daily News. Ground troops launched a massive attack on the LTTE militants who tried to stop the troops’ advance into the area inflicting heavy damages to them. "The Security Forces once again lay siege on the LTTE terrain surrounding the remaining Tiger leaders inside as the 58 Division and the 59 Division were poised to marry up in the Mullaitivu sea front by yesterday evening," a military official said. Troops also recovered the biggest ever arms and ammunition stock they have within a 24 hour period, he added. The recoveries included seventy two 60-mm mortars, 36 Indian made Rocket Launchers, two anti-aircraft pedal guns, one 12.7-mm machine gun, a Marine Radar, 12 suicide boats. "Thousands of sea mines and huge stocks of arms and ammunitions which were being counted by the troops for hours were recovered on Friday", the official added.
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May - 15 
President Mahinda Rajapakse has all civilians held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a human shield in the outfit-held area in north-eastern Sri Lanka will be rescued in the next 48 hours and the Tamils would be saved from the LTTE te
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President Mahinda Rajapakse has all civilians held by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as a human shield in the outfit-held area in north-eastern Sri Lanka will be rescued in the next 48 hours and the Tamils would be saved from the LTTE terrorism, reports Colombo Page. Rajapakse made this announcement when he met with the Sri Lankan migrant workers in Jordan during his visit, the Department of Information said in a statement on May 15. The President pointed out that troops have successfully cornered the LTTE into a small shrinking strip in the No Fire Zone of Mullaitivu. He also stressed that the next step would be to offer a political solution to the problems of Tamils to prevent fragmentation of the country. "My aim is to provide a free nation for all people to live in dignity and honour," he said.
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May - 15 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) air capabilities have been completely wiped out, the Sri Lankan Army claimed on May 15 after recovering a stock of accessories and engines of the "sky Tigers" from the embattled north, reported Asian Age.
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) air capabilities have been completely wiped out, the Sri Lankan Army claimed on May 15 after recovering a stock of accessories and engines of the "sky Tigers" from the embattled north, reported Asian Age. "The recovery puts all theories regarding LTTE’s air capabilities to rest, once for all, since the troops and the Sri Lanka Air Force have by now destroyed the entire LTTE air fleet," the Army said in a statement. In the past three years, the Sri Lanka Air Force fighter craft have shot down three LTTE light planes, the Army said. Two of them were destroyed during the February 19 attempt by outfit to carry out a suicide air attack on Colombo. A media report had suggested that the LTTE may still be having a Czech-made Zlin Z 143 light aircraft, but the recovery of engines and accessories has put all these theories to rest. Moreover, the LTTE is hardly left with any space to operate an aircraft. As reported earlier, troops unearthed a stock of LTTE light aircraft accessories buried in a coconut grove at Theravikulam in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area on May 13. The recoveries included four cylinder engines, three propellers, an aircraft radio set, five aircraft main wheels, three nose wheels, two partly used main wheels, four pilots’ hand phones, three battery chargers, three digital meters, three computer graphic manuals, ground marshalling torches, flying (aerial) computers, two flying simulation units, 23 runway lights, four head lights, two ordinary runway lights, bolts, transmitters, three marine radars, flying maps, 35 high speed boat engines, a water scooter laden with explosives and an aircraft towing carrier.
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May - 15 
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) captured 11 family members of the Sea Tiger leader Soosai, including his wife, son, daughter and his brother’s wife, daughter, while they were attempting to escape by sea in Mullaitivu area, Daily News reports. The SLN spokes
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The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) captured 11 family members of the Sea Tiger leader Soosai, including his wife, son, daughter and his brother’s wife, daughter, while they were attempting to escape by sea in Mullaitivu area, Daily News reports. The SLN spokesman Captain D.K.P. Dassanayake said they were attempting to escape from Vellamullivaikkal boarded on a Fibre Glass Dinghy posing as IDPs. The naval troops identified Soosai’s family members and captured the boat. "An LTTE Intelligence leader’s family members were among the captured", he added. The captured Soosai’s family members’ boat was towed to Pulmoddai Naval point. "The fleeing Soosai’s family members had around SLR 600,000, in cash jewellery weighing two and half kilograms and other valuable items", Captain Dassanayake added. He said during the inquiry Soosai’s wife, Sathyadevi, had said that her husband Soosai is with the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and Pottu Amman in the Vellamullivaikkal area.
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May - 15 
Troops on search and clear operations in the Mailambaweli area of Batticaloa District on May 15 recovered 29 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one SFG type hand grenade, one cyanide capsule and one Army-type uniform following information provided by two sus
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Troops on search and clear operations in the Mailambaweli area of Batticaloa District on May 15 recovered 29 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one SFG type hand grenade, one cyanide capsule and one Army-type uniform following information provided by two suspects arrested by the Security Forces.
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May - 16 
On May 16, troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Vellamullivaikkal area and subsequently recovered a cache of weapons, including three damaged 152-mm heavy artillery, 128 T-56 weapons, 17 12.7- mm anti air machine guns, one RCL gun, two paddl
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On May 16, troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Vellamullivaikkal area and subsequently recovered a cache of weapons, including three damaged 152-mm heavy artillery, 128 T-56 weapons, 17 12.7- mm anti air machine guns, one RCL gun, two paddle guns, four 40-mm grenade launchers, two multi purpose machine guns (MPMG), three radio communications sets, four micro pistols, 285 hand grenades, two barrels of 60-mm mortar guns, two barrels of 120-mm mortar guns, a large stock of live ammunition, oxygen tanks and Diving kits, reported Defense.lk. Intercepted LTTE radio communications revealed that 31 militants were killed and 15 others wounded during the clashes.
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May - 16 
On May 16, troops in the Vishuamadu, Udayarukattukulam and Akkarayankulam areas recovered 10 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Police uniforms, 10 LTTE Police caps, 175 LTTE Police badges, 15 LTTE Police buttons, 15 LTTE Police belts, two wh
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On May 16, troops in the Vishuamadu, Udayarukattukulam and Akkarayankulam areas recovered 10 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Police uniforms, 10 LTTE Police caps, 175 LTTE Police badges, 15 LTTE Police buttons, 15 LTTE Police belts, two white helmets, one MPMG barrel , one 12.7 mm gun barrel, four hundred 12.7mm ammunition, two Light Machine Gun (LMG) drums, a stock of LMG and T-56 spares, three 60-mm mortar Bi pods, three hand grenades and two LTTE hats. Similarly, forty-six 81-mm bombs, six 82-mm bombs and ten 152-mm dummy barrels were recovered from the Vishuamadu area.
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May - 16 
Over 10,000 civilians, made use of the newly opened ‘escape route’ via the Nanthikandal lagoon in the past 24 hours amidst LTTE’s indiscriminate firing in the Vadduvakal area. Also, 241 LTTE cadres surrendered to the SFs during the past two days.
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Over 10,000 civilians, made use of the newly opened ‘escape route’ via the Nanthikandal lagoon in the past 24 hours amidst LTTE’s indiscriminate firing in the Vadduvakal area. Also, 241 LTTE cadres surrendered to the SFs during the past two days.
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May - 16 
Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters set ablaze the Buddhist Temple at Scarborough in Toronto in the morning of May 16 while the resident monks were sleeping in the temple, reported Colombo Page. Three monks in the temple esca
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Suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters set ablaze the Buddhist Temple at Scarborough in Toronto in the morning of May 16 while the resident monks were sleeping in the temple, reported Colombo Page. Three monks in the temple escaped unhurt. The incident happened less than a week after the attacks on the Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in Paris on May 10 and London and May 14 by the LTTE mob in those cities.
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May - 16 
The Army which is in the final phase of the rescue operation took control of the entire eastern coastal area when the 58th and 59th Division troops linked up together depriving the LTTE of the coastal belt on May 16. The 58th Division marching from t
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The Army which is in the final phase of the rescue operation took control of the entire eastern coastal area when the 58th and 59th Division troops linked up together depriving the LTTE of the coastal belt on May 16. The 58th Division marching from the north linked up with 59th Division troops who were forging ahead northbound in the new NFZ. Accordingly, troops of the 11 Gemunu Watch in the 59th Division and 11th Sri Lanka Light Infantry in the 58th Division have taken control of the entire Mullaitivu costal belt.
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May - 16 
Two top leaders of the outfit, Swarnam and Sashi Master, were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) in a confrontation in Mullaitivu, reports Sunday Observer. Swarnam and Sashi Master were very senior cadres in the outfit and they remained the top conf
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Two top leaders of the outfit, Swarnam and Sashi Master, were killed by the Security Forces (SFs) in a confrontation in Mullaitivu, reports Sunday Observer. Swarnam and Sashi Master were very senior cadres in the outfit and they remained the top confidants of outfit’s chief Vellupillai Prabhakaran, sources added.
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May - 17 
Army elites are now continuing the final mop-up operations at the last 100m x100m LTTE foothold in the north of Vellamullivaikkal. Self-ignited LTTE explosions were also heard and witnessed in close vicinity. It is believed that the militants are com
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Army elites are now continuing the final mop-up operations at the last 100m x100m LTTE foothold in the north of Vellamullivaikkal. Self-ignited LTTE explosions were also heard and witnessed in close vicinity. It is believed that the militants are committing suicide en masse or burning of LTTE assets on their own. Meanwhile, monitored technical reports said that, Soosai and others were still in the area giving various orders to the outfit’s cadres against Army troops.
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May - 17 
Army troops attacked LTTE positions in the Karaiyamullivaikal and Vellamullivaikkal areas causing heavy damages to the militants, reported Sri Lanka Army (SLA). During subsequent search and clear operations troops recovered four dead bodies of the mi
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Army troops attacked LTTE positions in the Karaiyamullivaikal and Vellamullivaikkal areas causing heavy damages to the militants, reported Sri Lanka Army (SLA). During subsequent search and clear operations troops recovered four dead bodies of the militants along with 36 T-56 weapons, one Light Machine Gun (LMG), seven I-com sets, one 12.7-mm gun, three 40-mm grenade launchers, one MPMG, one 60-mm mortar launcher, one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, one tractor trailor, one bulldozer and one Outboard Motor (OBM).
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May - 17 
At least 150 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed during fierce fighting with the troops inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District on May 17, reports The Hindu. Troops operating in the western edge of the Nanthika
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At least 150 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed during fierce fighting with the troops inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ) in Mullaitivu District on May 17, reports The Hindu. Troops operating in the western edge of the Nanthikandal lagoon foiled an attempt by the LTTE militants to escape towards the jungles in Mullaitivu and Puthukkudiyiruppu south killing more than 80 militants, including nine female cadres, who tried to breach the Security Forces’ (SF) defences in the morning of May 17. “More than 80 well trained Tiger cadres were killed and their bodies were recovered collected from the Nanthikandal lagoon as troops foiled the Tigers’ attempt to breach the Security Forces defence around 2.30 am yesterday,” military officials in Mullaitivu told Daily News. The attempt to breach the SF’s defences came after launching four LTTE boats into the Nanthikandal lagoon from the NFZ whilst hundreds of other militants crossed the lagoon to reach the western edge of the lagoon. Troops repulsed the attack killing several militants and destroying boats heading towards the SF’s defences. According to intelligence sources, Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) leader Soosai and Jeyam had briefed the militants before they launched the attack and their aim was to open a path towards the Mullaitivu jungles for their leaders to escape from the safe zone. "Their aim was to establish a foothold on the eastern bank of the lagoon. If they were successful they would try to transfer their most senior leaders there and try their luck in the jungles", a senior military official said, according to Defense.lk. He further revealed that the LTTE has lost their last remaining fighting cadre in this abortive attack, saying, "The attack was completely crushed by the well prepared soldiers. It is just a basic military tactic to show an escape route for the surrounded enemy as bait and crush them when they take it." The Website also said that two senior LTTE militants, identified as Muttappan and Pradeep, were also killed during the confrontation.
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May - 17 
Daily News reports that one heavily-fortified LTTE torture-chamber cum prison complex, run inside a three-room house behind the Mullivaaykkaal (Vellamullivaikkal) sub-post office, was found by the troops as they moved further inside the No Fire Zone.
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Daily News reports that one heavily-fortified LTTE torture-chamber cum prison complex, run inside a three-room house behind the Mullivaaykkaal (Vellamullivaikkal) sub-post office, was found by the troops as they moved further inside the No Fire Zone.
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May - 17 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, however, said that the war is not over yet, reported BBC. "We have rescued all the civilians from the area, now we are searching for any more civilians. In the meantime, we have restricted the LTTE to one square
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse, however, said that the war is not over yet, reported BBC. "We have rescued all the civilians from the area, now we are searching for any more civilians. In the meantime, we have restricted the LTTE to one square kilometre-like area, so we will mop up and seize the rest of the LTTE cadres and the leadership."
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May - 17 
During another clash between the two sides in the Sarwaruthoddam area troops killed three militants and also recovered their bodies along with 18 T-56, three 40-mm grenade launchers, one MPMG, five radio communication sets, one RPG launcher, and one
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During another clash between the two sides in the Sarwaruthoddam area troops killed three militants and also recovered their bodies along with 18 T-56, three 40-mm grenade launchers, one MPMG, five radio communication sets, one RPG launcher, and one 12.7-mm machine gun, reports Defense.lk. Also, troops found several heavy vehicles abandoned by the militants. Another dead body of a militant was recovered along with 18 T-56 rifles, 11 radio communication sets, one LMG and OBM following during clearing operations along the A-35 in the Karaiyamullivaikal area.
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May - 17 
Security Forces (SFs) on search and clear operations in Vakarai area recovered one six barreled- MBRL (Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher) with one gun carrier on May 17.
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Security Forces (SFs) on search and clear operations in Vakarai area recovered one six barreled- MBRL (Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher) with one gun carrier on May 17.
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May - 17 
The humanitarian mission launched to liberate civilians taken hostage by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for months reached an end in the afternoon of May 17 in Mullaitivu with the last batch of civilians arriving in Government controlled
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The humanitarian mission launched to liberate civilians taken hostage by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for months reached an end in the afternoon of May 17 in Mullaitivu with the last batch of civilians arriving in Government controlled areas through the Vadduvakal causeway towards Mullaitivu by 2.30pm whilst troops surrounded the last batch of militants inside a less than half square kilometre stretch in the No Fire Zone (NFZ), according to Daily News. According to Military officials, more than 52,000 civilians have arrived in the Government-controlled areas and nearly 30,000 were due to be screened by the troops before being dispatched to welfare centres in Vavuniya. “An estimated figure exceeding 82,000 civilians have so far arrived in the military controlled areas since May 14,” military officials in Mullaitivu added. As the last batch of civilians were fleeing from the NFZ, many explosions were heard inside the NFZ as troops were fighting with the last batch of militants trapped inside.
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May - 17 
The LTTE international relations head K. Pathmanathan said, in a statement issued from outside Sri Lanka, the war had reached its bitter end and the outfit had decided to silence their guns in the interest of saving the lives of innocent Tamil citize
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The LTTE international relations head K. Pathmanathan said, in a statement issued from outside Sri Lanka, the war had reached its bitter end and the outfit had decided to silence their guns in the interest of saving the lives of innocent Tamil citizens. “This battle has reached its bitter end. Against all odds, we have held back the advancing Sinhalese forces without help or support, except for the unending support of our people. It is our people who are dying now from bombs, shells, illness and hunger. We cannot permit any more harm to befall them. We remain with one last choice — to remove the last weak excuse of the enemy for killing our people. We have decided to silence our guns. Our only regrets are for the lives lost and that we could not hold out for longer. We can no longer bear to see the innocent blood of our people being spilled,” he said.
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May - 17 
The SFs recovered one I-com set, five anti-personnel mines (APMs), one T-56 weapon, one T-56 magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one pouch, one 82-mm mortar tube, one hundred and fifty-four 81-mm mortar bombs and one 152-mm projectile from the Ma
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The SFs recovered one I-com set, five anti-personnel mines (APMs), one T-56 weapon, one T-56 magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one pouch, one 82-mm mortar tube, one hundred and fifty-four 81-mm mortar bombs and one 152-mm projectile from the Mankulam, Thonithettamadu and Kalamanthanwellai areas.
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May - 17 
The Sri Lankan mission in Hague in Netherlands was once again attacked by LTTE supporters, the Foreign Ministry said. This was the second time the LTTE supporters have attacked the Embassy in Hague within a week. According to the Ministry, a petrol b
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The Sri Lankan mission in Hague in Netherlands was once again attacked by LTTE supporters, the Foreign Ministry said. This was the second time the LTTE supporters have attacked the Embassy in Hague within a week. According to the Ministry, a petrol bomb was hurled at the Embassy building. Suspected LTTE supporters attacked the Sri Lankan Embassy in Hague on May 11th and broke window panes and causing damage to the Embassy. The Sri Lankan community in these cities believe that panicked by the inevitable demise of the LTTE by the Sri Lankan security forces, the outfit’s international network is organizing the attacks across the cities of Western countries where they enjoy more sympathy and impunity. The pro-LTTE Tamil protestors have become violent in Canadian cities of Ottawa and Toronto and in European cities mainly in London and Paris. They have attacked the Sri Lankan missions in London, Oslo, Hague in Netherlands, and Paris.
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May - 17 
Three Anti Aircraft Guns (AAG), including two of them with two barrels, and two BMT Armoured tanks were recovered by the Security Forces (SFs) from the Putumattalan area of Mullaitivu District on May 17, according to Sri Lanka Army reports. The AAGs,
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Three Anti Aircraft Guns (AAG), including two of them with two barrels, and two BMT Armoured tanks were recovered by the Security Forces (SFs) from the Putumattalan area of Mullaitivu District on May 17, according to Sri Lanka Army reports. The AAGs, popularly known as peddle guns alias ZPUs, are capable of firing a maximum of around 600 rounds per minute and need to be kept on a four-wheel carriage for firing. They also can cover a range of about 8000 meters and are about five to seven feet in height. The Armoured Tank, capable of high fire-power and ability to sustain enemy fire is fitted with anti-bullet and anti-splinter armour protection.
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May - 17 
Three damaged 152-mm artillery guns, 177 T-56 weapons, three 40-mm grenade launchers, one FNC gun , four 130-mm bombs, two paddle guns, 1184 paddle gun ammunition, one paddle gun drum, 130 rounds of 12.7-mm gun ammunition, one grenade launcher usuall
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Three damaged 152-mm artillery guns, 177 T-56 weapons, three 40-mm grenade launchers, one FNC gun , four 130-mm bombs, two paddle guns, 1184 paddle gun ammunition, one paddle gun drum, 130 rounds of 12.7-mm gun ammunition, one grenade launcher usually used in naval craft, 10 Rocket Propelled Guns (RPGs), three Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMGs), one radar, eleven 60-mm mortar guns, one rocket launcher, two 60-mm grenade launchers, two 12.7-mm grenade launcher, thirty 84-mm Recoilless guns, 285 hand grenades, six Arul type paras, seven CS gas bombs, three hands smokes, six MPMG drums, five 12.7-mm weapon drums, 10 area maps, 600 MPMG ammunition, 1200 rounds of T-56 ammunition, eight diving kits, three magnetic bombs, 110 safety fuses, four micro pistols and several more weapon accessories were among the recovered items were recovered from separate places in the same district.
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May - 17 
Two hundred and ninety-eight 60-mm smoke bombs, one anti tank mine, 415 APMs, 119 APM fuses, 304 hand grenades, 70 claymore mines, four Bangalore torpedoes, 199 primers, 32 electric detonators, seven Out Boat Motors (OBM), one hundred and thirty-nine
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Two hundred and ninety-eight 60-mm smoke bombs, one anti tank mine, 415 APMs, 119 APM fuses, 304 hand grenades, 70 claymore mines, four Bangalore torpedoes, 199 primers, 32 electric detonators, seven Out Boat Motors (OBM), one hundred and thirty-nine 60-mm bombs, eighty 81-mm bombs, three 122-mm projectors, 29 RPG, 5 kilograms TNT explosives, one Arul-type bomb, 12 jackets, 43 booby traps, 40 booby trap fuses and 10 firing devices from the Puthukkudiyiruppu area. In addition, one 152-mm artillery gun was found by the troops from the Vellamullivaikkal area.
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May - 18 
Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area on May 18 and found 51 T 56 weapons, two 81-mm mortars, three Rocket Propelled Grenades, two 40-mm grenade launchers, four 5.56-mm weapons, one Multi Purpose Machin
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Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area on May 18 and found 51 T 56 weapons, two 81-mm mortars, three Rocket Propelled Grenades, two 40-mm grenade launchers, four 5.56-mm weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun, one 60-mm mortar, four pistols and 112 I-com sets, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 18 
Death of senior LTTE militants, including Suventhiran Balaguru alias Jeyam, Rathnam Master and Madavan Master, were confirmed by the clearing troops after their dead bodies were scientifically identified, the Army Headquarters declared.
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Death of senior LTTE militants, including Suventhiran Balaguru alias Jeyam, Rathnam Master and Madavan Master, were confirmed by the clearing troops after their dead bodies were scientifically identified, the Army Headquarters declared.
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May - 18 
On May 18, troops recovered 43 dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, including eight dead bodies of female LTTE cadres, during search and clear operations in Karaymullivaikkal area, according to a report of Sri Lanka Arm
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On May 18, troops recovered 43 dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, including eight dead bodies of female LTTE cadres, during search and clear operations in Karaymullivaikkal area, according to a report of Sri Lanka Army. The recovery also included 36 T-56 weapons, 30 T-81 weapons, two FNC weapons, two Rocket Propelled Guns (RPGs), 21 hand grenades, 11 I-com sets, seven LTTE flags, five area maps, 30 packs, one Global Positioning System (GPS), seven Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) bolts, 3m detonator codes, SLR 101000 in cash, one 120mm mortar barrel, one 81 mm bipod, two 81 mm base plates, three 60mm mortar tubes, three Light Machine Guns (LMGs), one MPMG weapon and one 40mm Grenade Launcher.
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May - 18 
On the same day, troops engaged in search and clear operations in Vellamullivaikkal and Wadduvakkal areas recovered dead bodies of 35 LTTE militants, 368 T-56 weapons, three T-81 weapons, nine LMGs, 10 RPGs, four 60 mm tubes, one Recoilless gun, 46
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On the same day, troops engaged in search and clear operations in Vellamullivaikkal and Wadduvakkal areas recovered dead bodies of 35 LTTE militants, 368 T-56 weapons, three T-81 weapons, nine LMGs, 10 RPGs, four 60 mm tubes, one Recoilless gun, 46 LMG drums, 15 T-56 magazines, nine disposable RPGs, one gas gun, two pistols, three 12.7mm bipods, 10 MPMGs, two 81 mm mortar tubes, three 12.7 guns, two radars, one unicorn, three silencer guns, five shot guns, 51 I-com sets, 100 rounds of Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) ammunition, 40 rounds of shotgun ammunition, one telescope, twenty 120 mm barrels, T-54 tank spare parts, one 40mm Grenade Launcher, two damaged 130mm guns, one paddle gun, forty radar monitors, one sniper weapon, 27 hand grenades, two claymore mines, two firing devices, one remote controller, one 5.56 mm gun with three magazines and 185 ammunition, one M-16 weapon and 35 packs.
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May - 18 
Security alarms were automatically activated at the United Nations (UN) compound in Geneva interrupting the proceeding of the World Health Assembly (WHA) on May 18 when Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the newly elected President of the WHA, was pre
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Security alarms were automatically activated at the United Nations (UN) compound in Geneva interrupting the proceeding of the World Health Assembly (WHA) on May 18 when Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the newly elected President of the WHA, was presiding the plenary and the high level delegate of the United States of America was in the process of delivering the speech, according to Daily News. According to the security division of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UN in Geneva, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters who had been protesting outside the UN against the election of Health Minister de Silva of Sri Lanka as the President of the WHA, entered the UN compound through the main gates despite security resistance. The UN security at the gate 40 activated alarms and repeatedly announced to the UN staff and the delegates to remain inside the building. The Security Force personnel of the UN and the WHO later took measures to disperse the protestors.
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May - 18 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed on May 18, the Sri Lankan military has said, according to BBC. The announcement on state television came shortly after the military said it had surrounded Prabhakaran
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed on May 18, the Sri Lankan military has said, according to BBC. The announcement on state television came shortly after the military said it had surrounded Prabhakaran in a tiny patch of jungle in the north-east. The head of the Sri Lankan army Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka said the military had defeated the rebels and "liberated the entire country". "Today we finished the work handed to us by the president to liberate the country from the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)," Gen Fonseka said in the broadcast. The broadcast quoted military officials as saying Prabhakaran was killed along with two of his deputies. It said Prabhakaran, his intelligence chief Pottu Amman and Soosai, the head of the LTTE naval wing, were shot dead in an ambush in the Mullivaikal District while trying to escape the war zone in an ambulance.
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May - 18 
The SFs found a dead body suspected to be of Charles Anthony, the elder son of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, from the Karaiyamullivaikal area on May 18 (today), reports Daily News. The Sri Lanka Army, however, confirmed that Anthony, known to be
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The SFs found a dead body suspected to be of Charles Anthony, the elder son of LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, from the Karaiyamullivaikal area on May 18 (today), reports Daily News. The Sri Lanka Army, however, confirmed that Anthony, known to be the head of Information and Technology department of the LTTE, was killed. In addition, the SFs also recovered dead bodies of three key LTTE leaders, identified as political wing leader of the outfit Nadeshan, head of the outfit’s peace secretariat Pulidevan and senior special military leader of the outfit Ramesh.
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May - 18 
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) at 1400 hrs of May 18 announced that the entire Puthumattalan area has now been brought under Army control bringing the entire country free from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) terrorism. Over 250 corpses of LTTE mi
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The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) at 1400 hrs of May 18 announced that the entire Puthumattalan area has now been brought under Army control bringing the entire country free from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) terrorism. Over 250 corpses of LTTE militants scattered in the entire area have been so far recovered and subjected to identification at the time this report was filed, claimed the Army. It is believed all the remaining terrorist leaders including top LTTE cadres were among those feared killed, said the Army.
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May - 18 
Troops also confirmed the death of 11 more senior LTTE militants who attempted to escape their destiny of being captured by the troops in Wellamullivaikkal area. These senior cadres include LTTE Police chief Ilango, aide to LTTE chief's son Sudharman
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Troops also confirmed the death of 11 more senior LTTE militants who attempted to escape their destiny of being captured by the troops in Wellamullivaikkal area. These senior cadres include LTTE Police chief Ilango, aide to LTTE chief's son Sudharman, senior intelligence leader Thomas, LTTE military leader Luxman, senior Sea Tiger (Sea wing of the LTTE) cadre Sri Ram, LTTE female military leader Isei Aravi, LTTE deputy intelligence leader Kapil Amman, in charge of LTTE female training Ajanthi, in charge of LTTE mortar section Wardha, Secretary to LTTE chief Pudiyawan and Special military leader Jenarthan were among them.
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May - 18 
Troops recovered five RPGs, six 81mm mortar bombs, 40 81 mm cartridges, three 81 mm mortar fuses, 17 hand grenades and one pouch from Iranamadu and Akkarayankulam in Kilinochchi.
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Troops recovered five RPGs, six 81mm mortar bombs, 40 81 mm cartridges, three 81 mm mortar fuses, 17 hand grenades and one pouch from Iranamadu and Akkarayankulam in Kilinochchi.
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May - 18 
Unspecified numbers of wounded civilians were killed by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ), claims pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net on May 18. The pro-LTTE website also claimed that there are still civ
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Unspecified numbers of wounded civilians were killed by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) inside the No Fire Zone (NFZ), claims pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net on May 18. The pro-LTTE website also claimed that there are still civilians hiding in the bunkers in Mullivaikkal area.
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May - 19 
38 dead bodies of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, including those of seven females, were recovered by the troops along with 29 T-56 weapons, two T-81 weapons, one Mini Ushi weapon, one silencer weapon, one FNC weapon, one 40-mm
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38 dead bodies of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants, including those of seven females, were recovered by the troops along with 29 T-56 weapons, two T-81 weapons, one Mini Ushi weapon, one silencer weapon, one FNC weapon, one 40-mm grenade launcher, two pistols, one M-16 weapon, one T-97 weapon, two I-Com Sets, two Global Positioning Systems and three pouches during a search operation in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District on May 19, reports Sri Lanka Army. The bodies recovered and identified included that of Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) leader “Brigadier” Soosai, senior intelligence leader “Lieutenant Colonel” Verti, an intelligence leader “Lieutenant Colonel” Ram Kumar, a senior female intelligence leader “Lieutenant Colonel” Manimekala alias Komali, political head in Batticaloa “Lieutenant Colonel” Anna Thurai, a senior Sea Tiger leader “Colonel” Rangan, “Lieutenant Colonel” Vinodan and a senior intelligence leader, adds The Hindu.
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May - 19 
Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka confirmed that the dead body of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was found on May 19, reports Daily News. His body was found by the 53rd Division troops led by Major Genera
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Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka confirmed that the dead body of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran was found on May 19, reports Daily News. His body was found by the 53rd Division troops led by Major General Kamal Gunaratne near the Nanthikandal lagoon. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said Prabhakaran had died due to a gun shot injury to his head. The Army is reported to have found his identity card issued by the LTTE and the armlet with the number one indicating his position in the outfit. According to defence sources, Prabhakaran had tried to save his life until the last moment. Although the LTTE International Relations Head K. Pathmanathan denied the Government's claim, saying on a pro-LTTE website Tamil Net that Prabhakaran is "alive and safe", the DNA tests have proved that the body recovered belongs to Prabhakaran, the Army said, added Colombo Page. Fonseka confirmed that Prabhakaran's body was found among the 150 or so bodies the army recovered on May 19. Earlier, dead bodies of senior LTTE leaders - Pottu Amman, Soosai, Pulithevan, Charles Anthony (Prabhakaran’s son), Ramesh and P. Nadesan - who died during the time of the final clash between the Security Forces (SFs) and the LTTE were found. About 350 dead bodies of militants who died in the confrontation have been recovered by the troops since May 17.
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May - 19 
The announcement by the Army Chief on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapakse and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said, “A few hours ago on Tuesday morning our ground troops confirmed that they have recovered the dead body of the world’s most rut
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The announcement by the Army Chief on behalf of President Mahinda Rajapakse and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said, “A few hours ago on Tuesday morning our ground troops confirmed that they have recovered the dead body of the world’s most ruthless terrorist leader. I make this disclosure with responsibility and pleasure as millions of Sri Lankans as well as the Army would be the most delighted at this news,” according to The Hindu. It further said LTTE’s Daya Master, who is in Government custody, and LTTE’s former eastern military leader and Nation Building Minister in the Rajapakse Government, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna in the afternoon of May 19 flew to Puthukkudiyiruppu where Prabakaran’s body is being kept. Both of them identified the body as that of the LTTE chief. The Defence Ministry said in the evening that Sea Tiger (sea wing of the LTTE) leader Soosai’s bullet-ridden dead body was found by Army commandos in the marshy land in Karaiyamullivaikal.
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May - 19 
The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net on May 19 (today) claimed that the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still alive and safe; a day after Sri Lankan Army (SLA) announced that it has killed the top rebel leader. The w
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The pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) website Tamil Net on May 19 (today) claimed that the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is still alive and safe; a day after Sri Lankan Army (SLA) announced that it has killed the top rebel leader. The website quoted the LTTE's International Relations chief S. Pathmanathan stating, "I wish to inform the Global Tamil community distressed witnessing the final events of the war that our beloved leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is alive and safe….He (Prabhakaran) will continue to lead the quest for dignity and freedom for the Tamil people." The website, however, did not give the details of Prabhakaran location. Pathmanathan also said that the Sri Lankan Army and the Government deliberately came up with the story detailing the demise of the leader of the LTTE. "We categorically reject this and wish to inform the Tamil community to be vigilant and to exercise maximum restraint whilst grieving for the loss of Tamil civilian lives," he said.
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May - 19 
Two hours before the announcement of the recovery of the dead body of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, President Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the ceremonial opening of Parliament on May 19 said the victory gai
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Two hours before the announcement of the recovery of the dead body of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, President Mahinda Rajapakse addressing the ceremonial opening of Parliament on May 19 said the victory gained by defeating the LTTE is the victory of the nation, and the victory of all people living in the country, reports Daily News. “The defeat of the LTTE and the breakdown of their armed strength will never be the defeat of the Tamil people of this country,” he added. “It is necessary for us to state with great responsibility, that we do not accept a military solution as the final solution. Similarly, when we see the sad faces of the people who have been fleeing from the Puttumatalan area, we can realize that a document offered on a tray as a political solution could also not be the final solution ... It is necessary that we find a solution that is our very own, of our own nation. It should be a solution acceptable to all sections of the people,” he said. “We have been victorious in facing one challenge. Time is now raising a new challenge before us. It is the challenge of building the motherland. From now all, everyone should change in keeping with the needs of facing up to that challenge, too,” he added. The President stated that he hopes to provide a 'home grown' solution to the conflict and does not hope to be experimenting solutions, adds Colombo Page.
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May - 20 
Another dead body of a militant along with two T 56 weapons, two T 56 magazines, two claymore mines, two suicide belts with 10 kilograms of explosive, one remote control, nine LTTE uniforms, one helmet cover, 123 T-56 ammunition and 3000 chlorine tab
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Another dead body of a militant along with two T 56 weapons, two T 56 magazines, two claymore mines, two suicide belts with 10 kilograms of explosive, one remote control, nine LTTE uniforms, one helmet cover, 123 T-56 ammunition and 3000 chlorine tablets were recovered by troops from Vavuniya.
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May - 20 
Army troops on patrol in the Kanchikudichchiaru area of Ampara District shot dead three militants and later recovered three T-56 weapons, three hand grenades, two claymore mines, detonator code and a medical pack along with the dead bodies of the sla
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Army troops on patrol in the Kanchikudichchiaru area of Ampara District shot dead three militants and later recovered three T-56 weapons, three hand grenades, two claymore mines, detonator code and a medical pack along with the dead bodies of the slain militants from the incident site.
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May - 20 
Five ‘Sam's Chicken’ outlets owned by prominent Sinhala businessman, Sam Chandrasinha, at Wembley, Kingsbury, Wilsden, Sudbury Hill and Cricklewood in London were attacked by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters last week, Sri
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Five ‘Sam's Chicken’ outlets owned by prominent Sinhala businessman, Sam Chandrasinha, at Wembley, Kingsbury, Wilsden, Sudbury Hill and Cricklewood in London were attacked by suspected Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) supporters last week, Sri Lanka Army reported on May 24. Chandrasinha said that these attacks were launched during the early and late night hours of May 20, adding, "Glass fronts were smashed, but we quickly repaired them and started business again. However, the staff who are Sinhalese were deeply disturbed by these attacks.” Chandrasinha had donated nearly £30,000 to the Api Wenuwen Api (Together for All) fund - to carry out housing project for the Security Forces - a few months ago. Police are investigating but no arrests have been made so far. It was also reported that acid has been thrown at two Sinhala youths in Harrow. Details of the incident were not available.
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May - 20 
Naval spokesman D. K. Dasanayake said that Prabhakaran made two last-minute attempts to escape to India or Malaysia, but these came too late as the Sri Lankan Navy had put up a effective naval blockade by then. These failures left no option for Prabh
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Naval spokesman D. K. Dasanayake said that Prabhakaran made two last-minute attempts to escape to India or Malaysia, but these came too late as the Sri Lankan Navy had put up a effective naval blockade by then. These failures left no option for Prabhakaran, who had earlier outmanoeuvred the Sri Lankan security apparatus, to stay put in the northern war zone and fight to the last. Prabhakaran made these attempts as Sri Lankan forces made major advances into the LTTE-held territory in 2009, Dasanayake added.
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May - 20 
On May 20, troops in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District recovered 57 T-56 weapons, three 3.9 mm pistols, one micro pistol, two repeater guns, two silencer weapons, one night vision device, five 40-mm weapons, four M-16 weapons, eight M
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On May 20, troops in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District recovered 57 T-56 weapons, three 3.9 mm pistols, one micro pistol, two repeater guns, two silencer weapons, one night vision device, five 40-mm weapons, four M-16 weapons, eight Multi Purpose Machine Guns, two 12.7-mm guns, one 7.62-mm pistol, one paddle gun, one Light Machine Gun, one T-56 bipod, two 0.22-mm weapons, three FNC weapons, three pistols, nine I-com sets, two pass ports, seven identity cards, 23 area maps and one unidentified weapon, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 20 
Police found several explosives, including claymore mines, from Athurugiriya area, a suburb of capital Colombo, reported Colombo Page. Senior Superintended of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said these explosives were recovered on the basis of information
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Police found several explosives, including claymore mines, from Athurugiriya area, a suburb of capital Colombo, reported Colombo Page. Senior Superintended of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said these explosives were recovered on the basis of information obtained from a recently arrested Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militant. Police recovered two claymore mines each weighing 2.5 kilograms and packed with C4 high explosives and two other explosive devices.
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May - 20 
Security Forces (SFs) shot dead five Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the Periyapillumalai area of Batticaloa District in the morning of May 20, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. Subsequently, the SFs recovered dead bodies of
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Security Forces (SFs) shot dead five Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants in the Periyapillumalai area of Batticaloa District in the morning of May 20, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. Subsequently, the SFs recovered dead bodies of the five slain militants along with two T-56 weapons, one hand grenade, 11 anti personnel mines, six ammunition magazines, two improvised explosive devices, two mobile phones and one belt order.
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May - 20 
The Police Department had set up 37 Police stations in the Eastern Province and seven in the Northern Province, including in Madhu and Omanthai, Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne said on May 20.
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The Police Department had set up 37 Police stations in the Eastern Province and seven in the Northern Province, including in Madhu and Omanthai, Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickramaratne said on May 20.
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May - 20 
The slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s wife Mathivathani, daughter and 13-year old younger son Balachandran were found shot dead on May 20, according to Times of India. Their bodies, having gunshot wounds in
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The slain Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s wife Mathivathani, daughter and 13-year old younger son Balachandran were found shot dead on May 20, according to Times of India. Their bodies, having gunshot wounds in the head, were found in the Nanthikandal lagoon area barely 600 metres from where Prabhakaran’s body was recovered by the Army. Contrary to earlier media reports, Prabhakaran’s family were not in Europe. According to India Today, the family was shot dead by the Security Forces as it tried to break out of the No-Fire Zone. Another 150 bodies were found in the lagoon area.
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May - 20 
The Sri Lankan military on May 20 ceremonially ended the war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Mullaitivu beach area, according to Colombo Page. Defence sources said the Army formally silenced their guns in the afternoon in a milita
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The Sri Lankan military on May 20 ceremonially ended the war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at Mullaitivu beach area, according to Colombo Page. Defence sources said the Army formally silenced their guns in the afternoon in a military ceremony, headed by Major General Jagath Jayasuriya and in the presence of commanders of all units. Forces fired MBT and MBRL guns towards the Mullaitivu Sea marking the end of the war.
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May - 20 
Troops on search and clear operations in the Kithulwatuwa area found three T-56 weapons, one M-16 weapons, four T-56 magazines and one CDMA phone antenna on May 20
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Troops on search and clear operations in the Kithulwatuwa area found three T-56 weapons, one M-16 weapons, four T-56 magazines and one CDMA phone antenna on May 20
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May - 21 
10 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the Army troops in the Kadawana jungle area of Trincomalee District in the afternoon of May 21, reports Sri Lanka Army. Subsequently, the troops recovered dead bodies of all the 10 s
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10 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the Army troops in the Kadawana jungle area of Trincomalee District in the afternoon of May 21, reports Sri Lanka Army. Subsequently, the troops recovered dead bodies of all the 10 slain militants along with seven T-56 weapons, one M-16 weapon, eight hand grenades, one claymore mine of seven kilograms and one radio set from the area. Three senior militants, identified as Sathyan Master, Kanthan and Oviyan were among the killed.
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May - 21 
According to a Sri Lanka Army report, Police found one hand grenade from the Giritale area in Polonnaruwa District on May 21.
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According to a Sri Lanka Army report, Police found one hand grenade from the Giritale area in Polonnaruwa District on May 21.
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May - 21 
Army troops recovered dead bodies of six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one 122-mm artillery gun, three micro pistols, 27 pistols, 94 T-56 weapons, three T-81 weapons, four Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMG), four FNC we
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Army troops recovered dead bodies of six Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one 122-mm artillery gun, three micro pistols, 27 pistols, 94 T-56 weapons, three T-81 weapons, four Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMG), four FNC weapons, 24 pistol ammunition, nine I-Com sets, 26 claymore mines, one 40-mm mortar barrel, one 81-mm mortar barrel, 14 Rocket Propelled Guns, six Light Machine Guns (LMG), two sniper weapons, eight 12.7-mm weapons with barrels, six 37-mm barrels, one satellite phone, two 81-mm magazines, two 81-mm LMG drums, seven MPMG links, and one unidentified weapon and SLR 2024 in cash during search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District on May 21, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 21 
On May 21, four hand grenades, four anti-personnel mines and 17 rounds of T-56 ammunition were found by the troops in the Sampur area of Trincomalee District, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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On May 21, four hand grenades, four anti-personnel mines and 17 rounds of T-56 ammunition were found by the troops in the Sampur area of Trincomalee District, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 21 
Police were checking the telephone numbers received and originating from the mobile phones of several high ranking LTTE militants killed and arrested at Mullaitivu last week.
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Police were checking the telephone numbers received and originating from the mobile phones of several high ranking LTTE militants killed and arrested at Mullaitivu last week.
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May - 21 
Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 21 assured the visiting Indian envoys — National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon — that his Government is committed to a political solution to address the grievance
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Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapakse on May 21 assured the visiting Indian envoys — National Security Adviser M.K. Narayanan and Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon — that his Government is committed to a political solution to address the grievance of the Tamil people in the country, Colombo Page reported. The President assured the Indian envoys a long-term political settlement based on the 13th Amendment to the Sri Lankan Constitution that provides for devolution of powers to the provinces within a united country. He also said that his Government had drawn up a plan for resettlement of 2.8 lakh war-displaced people in their original places of habitation in the north within the next six months, adds The Hindu. He also promised to give a copy of the death certificate of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to enable India close the 18-year-old case of assassination of the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The immediate focus of the discussion between the parties was the resettlement of around 265,000 Tamil civilians now sheltered in the welfare villages in Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna, Colombo Page reported. During the discussion Sri Lanka told the Indian delegation that it plans to dismantle the relief camps at and resettle at least 80 percent of the displaced in their original homes by the end of the year. During the meeting with the President, India pledged to provide all possible assistance in the implementation of such a plan in areas such as de-mining, provision of civil infrastructure and re-construction of houses. The two Indian leaders, who arrived in the country on May 20 on a two-day visit, pledged India's fullest support to reconstruct the war affected areas and offered a INR 5 billion relief package to assist the internally displaced persons.
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May - 21 
The dead body of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and other leaders will be buried in Wanni, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said on May 21, reported Colombo Page. The bodies would be buried as soon
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The dead body of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and other leaders will be buried in Wanni, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said on May 21, reported Colombo Page. The bodies would be buried as soon as possible after the initial investigations are over, he said. The military has collected over 350 bodies of militants after the final battle in Mullaitivu. Most of the bodies of the outfit’s leaders, including that of Prabhakaran, his son Charles Anthony and Sea Tiger leader Soosai, were already identified by the military.
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May - 21 
The Island reports that a special Police team has been deployed to arrest two Sinhala youth said to be in the south of the country who have had close connections with the LTTE. The two Sinhala youths are said to have played a prominent role in LTTE o
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The Island reports that a special Police team has been deployed to arrest two Sinhala youth said to be in the south of the country who have had close connections with the LTTE. The two Sinhala youths are said to have played a prominent role in LTTE operations, including bombings, killings and several sabotage activities. The duo had tipped off several militants who were lodged in Colombo for various subversive activities. They had escaped from their safe havens when Police closed in on them. Their names and whereabouts were revealed to the Police by a Lt. Colonel of the Ratmalana Transit Camp arrested on May 14 for suspected links with the LTTE.
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May - 21 
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, C.R. Jaisinghe, told PTI in New Delhi that the Rajapakse Government is planning to hold provincial elections in the Tamil-dominated areas freed from LTTE control, a step which India has been repeatedly under
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The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, C.R. Jaisinghe, told PTI in New Delhi that the Rajapakse Government is planning to hold provincial elections in the Tamil-dominated areas freed from LTTE control, a step which India has been repeatedly underlining. “Our country is now free of terror. The President [Mahinda Rajapakse] has already made it clear that the concerns of the Tamil Diaspora will be addressed. We will hold provincial council elections in the northern region.”
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May - 21 
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern over conditions in the camps set up for people displaced by the recent fighting in Sri Lanka, according to The Hindu. A statement issued by the agency said up to 80,000 peopl
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) expressed concern over conditions in the camps set up for people displaced by the recent fighting in Sri Lanka, according to The Hindu. A statement issued by the agency said up to 80,000 people left the conflict zone in the last three days alone, bringing the total number of those displaced in the last several months to 2,80,000. “As the fighting in north-east Sri Lanka comes to an end, the scale of the challenges facing UNHCR and other humanitarian agencies on the ground become more apparent,” said agency’s spokesperson Ron Redmond. He said some 2,30,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) had been screened and registered and were currently accommodated in 41 sites spread across four districts. Another 50,000 people were undergoing screening and registration at various points and awaiting transportation to the sites. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is slated to visit Sri Lanka on May 22-23 for a first-hand look at the situation.
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May - 22 
About 280,000 ethnic Tamils have fled the fighting and are in camps. This includes the world's most populated refugee camp at Manik Farm, which now houses almost 200,000 people. The Government has revealed there are thousands of former LTTE militants
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About 280,000 ethnic Tamils have fled the fighting and are in camps. This includes the world's most populated refugee camp at Manik Farm, which now houses almost 200,000 people. The Government has revealed there are thousands of former LTTE militants mingling with regular civilians in the closely guarded camps. Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told The Herald that about 4000 former militants had "sneaked in" to the general refugee population. This group was under close surveillance. "We will need to see how they will integrate and leave their past behind, or whether they will still harbour thoughts of going back into the jungle," Kohona said. "We are just watching them." Many may have been forced to support the Tigers and had not been serious combatants. "We would like to give them a chance to quietly reintegrate into society and not rake up their past and make a mess of their lives," he added. Another 2000 Tiger cadres who surrendered or were captured were being "rehabilitated" in special facilities, Kohona added further.
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May - 22 
Head of international secretariat of the intelligence wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Arivazhakan, on May 22 categorically denied the reports that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has been killed, according to the pro-LT
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Head of international secretariat of the intelligence wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Arivazhakan, on May 22 categorically denied the reports that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has been killed, according to the pro-LTTE Website Tamil Net. He urged the global Tamil community not to trust the "engineered rumours," being spread by the Government of Sri Lanka and its military establishment. "Our beloved leader is alive," he said and added that the LTTE leadership will make contact with its people at a suitable time in future. "These rumours have been set afloat to confuse the global Tamil community which has been voicing support for the liberation of Tamil Eelam," he further said. Arivazhakan, who verified his identity through a senior reporter in Sri Lanka, did not reveal his location due to security reasons.
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May - 22 
More than 6000 Sri Lankan Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and nearly 30,000 personnel were wounded during the last three years due to the fighting against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. In an intervi
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More than 6000 Sri Lankan Security Force (SF) personnel were killed and nearly 30,000 personnel were wounded during the last three years due to the fighting against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. In an interview with the state-owned television Rupavahini on May 22, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said 6261 SF personnel, Policemen and paramilitary guards were killed and 29551 were wounded in the offensive which commenced in August 2006 and concluded on May 17. He also said that since 1981 a total of 23,790 SF personnel, Policemen and women and paramilitary guards have been killed in the war. Though he did not give casualty figures for the LTTE, Reuters quoted military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara as saying that troops killed 22,000 LTTE fighters during Eelam War IV. The LTTE in November 2008 had said that they had lost more than 22,000 cadres since the first guerrilla death in November 1982.
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May - 22 
On the same day, the Security Forces (SFs) recovered two claymore mines, two light machine gun drums, 3878 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 200 rounds of MPMG ammunition, three hand grenades and three G3 A3 magazines during search and clear operations in
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On the same day, the Security Forces (SFs) recovered two claymore mines, two light machine gun drums, 3878 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 200 rounds of MPMG ammunition, three hand grenades and three G3 A3 magazines during search and clear operations in the Adampan, Malawi and Akkarayankulam areas of Kilinochchi District. During similar search and clear operations the SFs recovered 10 hand grenades from the Yakawewa area of Vavuniya District
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May - 22 
The United Nations this week said the conflict had killed between 80,000-100,000 people since it erupted into full-scale civil war in 1983 - including unofficial and unverified tallies showing 7,000 civilian deaths since January.
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The United Nations this week said the conflict had killed between 80,000-100,000 people since it erupted into full-scale civil war in 1983 - including unofficial and unverified tallies showing 7,000 civilian deaths since January.
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May - 22 
Troops continuing search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area recovered 20 T-56 Weapons, one T-81 weapon, one 60-mm mortar launcher, two 40-mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), one M-16gun, four FNC guns, two suici
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Troops continuing search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area recovered 20 T-56 Weapons, one T-81 weapon, one 60-mm mortar launcher, two 40-mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), one M-16gun, four FNC guns, two suicide jackets, two shotguns, one mini UZI gun, four radar scanners and four radar monitors. Separately, 780 rounds of 12.7-mm ammunition, three 120-mm mortar bombs, six 81-mm mortar bombs, two hundred and forty-five 120-mm fuses, eight 60-mm mortar bombs, 105 fuses, 105 anti-personnel mines, eight 1.5 kilograms claymore mines and four improvised explosive devices during search and clear operations in the Udayarukattukulam area.
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May - 22 
Troops found a hand grenade and two cyanide capsules from the Kuppankulam area.
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Troops found a hand grenade and two cyanide capsules from the Kuppankulam area.
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May - 22 
Troops found five decomposed dead bodies of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with three I-com sets, two pistols and two magazines from the Mullaitivu area on May 22, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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Troops found five decomposed dead bodies of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with three I-com sets, two pistols and two magazines from the Mullaitivu area on May 22, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 22 
Troops recovered three suicide jackets, eighteen rounds of T-56 ammunition, thirty six micro pistol ammunition, one hand grenade, ten 40mm grenade launcher rounds, three electric detonators, one 40mm grenade launcher tool kit and two Army type unifor
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Troops recovered three suicide jackets, eighteen rounds of T-56 ammunition, thirty six micro pistol ammunition, one hand grenade, ten 40mm grenade launcher rounds, three electric detonators, one 40mm grenade launcher tool kit and two Army type uniforms during a search and clear operations in the general area of Elamurippukulam in Vavuniya on May 22, according to report of Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 23 
Attempts to smuggle out youth from camps housing Internally Displaced people (IDPs) prompted the Government to impose restrictions on visits to the IDP camps, a senior Government official said on May 23, Sunday Times reported. Human Rights Ministry S
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Attempts to smuggle out youth from camps housing Internally Displaced people (IDPs) prompted the Government to impose restrictions on visits to the IDP camps, a senior Government official said on May 23, Sunday Times reported. Human Rights Ministry Secretary Rajiva Wijesinha said certain persons with the connivance of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) workers were involved in this plot. In the light of this, security sources said, a thorough screening of IDPs was under way in the camps. The purpose was to identify persons who were either Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres or had links with the outfit. Wijesinha said the authorities were also looking into reports that paramilitary operatives were known to be loitering inside the camps after gaining access through certain NGOs and this matter was being treated seriously by Government authorities. “The restrictions are aimed at bringing the situation in the camps to manageable levels where security is given the top most priority. Things get complicated when there are too many vehicles running up and down the camps thereby compromising security,” Wijesinha said. He said 52 NGOs had been mandated to operate inside the IDP camps and none of them was willing to operate on foot but insisted they brought their air conditioned vehicles which raised a lot of dust and dirt in the air leading to an environmental issue. “Therefore, we have asked them to reduce the number of vehicles during their movements inside the camps, and they have agreed,” he said. UN’s Colombo spokesperson Gordon Weiss confirmed the reports that attempts had been made by certain persons to smuggle out groups of IDPs from the welfare centres and this prompted the authorities to bring in the restrictions. “The situation indeed got out of control with so many aid agencies and individuals involved in the humanitarian work in the camps. Therefore the authorities were forced to act fast in bringing the situation under control,” Weiss said. Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies Chief Jeevan Thiyagarajah, however, said there was no truth in the reports that certain persons had attempted to smuggle out IDPs from the camps. He said NGOs were continuing with their work despite the restrictions imposed on the movement of vehicles.
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May - 23 
Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said on May 23 that Government has retained samples of body-parts of Prabhakaran for DNA tests before he was cremated on May 20 in Mullaitivu. He said that the Government was prepared to conduct a DNA test shoul
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Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said on May 23 that Government has retained samples of body-parts of Prabhakaran for DNA tests before he was cremated on May 20 in Mullaitivu. He said that the Government was prepared to conduct a DNA test should the necessity arise. “The defence establishment, however, has no doubts that he is dead,” he said. Minister Rambukwella said the fate of Prabhakaran’s wife and two younger children remained a mystery. “It is not clear if they were caught up in the battle or residing overseas,” he said. It was earlier reported that they have also been killed.
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May - 23 
On May 23, troops continuing search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District recovered one recoilless gun, twenty 40-mm grenade launcher cartridges, nine 40-mm grenade launchers, one .38 revolver, two radio sets, two
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On May 23, troops continuing search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District recovered one recoilless gun, twenty 40-mm grenade launcher cartridges, nine 40-mm grenade launchers, one .38 revolver, two radio sets, two dog tags, one binocular pouch, two FNC magazines, four T-56 magazines, two mini UZI magazines, one 9-mm pistol, 12 light machine gun links, 84 rounds of T-56 ammunition, three hand grenades, three 2.5 kilograms claymore mines, one 5 kilograms claymore mine, one passport, 289 T-56 weapons, 10 multi propose machine guns, 11 light machine guns, three FNC weapons, six pistols, twenty-four 5-mm weapons, 15 rocket propelled grenades, two 60-mm mortars, six 120-mm mortar bombs, 13 I-com sets, 13 T-81 weapons, six 12.7 weapons, one gas gun, eight .22 riffles, one sniper weapon, eight shotguns, five unidentified weapons, two 120-mm mortar bipods, eight gun carriers, eight thermo-baric weapons, four 12.7-mm weapon bipods, 49 light machine gun drums, 40 rounds of pistol ammunition, 120 of 12 bore cartridges, four 60-mm mortar sights, nine 60-mm base plates, 100 T-56 magazines, fifty FNC magazines. Also, troops recovered two packs, two T-81 magazines, 28 rounds of ammunition, one pouch, one 81-mm bomb and one dog tag from the Ampakamam area.
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May - 23 
Police personnel on search operation recovered one T-56 weapon, four magazines, 127rounds of T-56 ammunition, 15 detonators, two detonator codes, two anti-personnel mines (APM), five APM fuses, two remote controller units with two batteries, two cyan
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Police personnel on search operation recovered one T-56 weapon, four magazines, 127rounds of T-56 ammunition, 15 detonators, two detonator codes, two anti-personnel mines (APM), five APM fuses, two remote controller units with two batteries, two cyanide capsules, three hand grenades, two claymore chargers, one claymore circuit and one dog tag from the Kinniya area in the Nagautthu region of Trincomalee District on May 23, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 23 
Security Forces have, meanwhile, cremated the body of Prabhakaran, Army chief Sarath Fonseka said in an interview to be published on May 24. General Fonseka told Sunday Rivira, “We cremated the body in the same area and threw the ashes into the (Indi
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Security Forces have, meanwhile, cremated the body of Prabhakaran, Army chief Sarath Fonseka said in an interview to be published on May 24. General Fonseka told Sunday Rivira, “We cremated the body in the same area and threw the ashes into the (Indian) ocean.” He said, “Even before Prabhakaran was killed, I knew we had won the war, but I was overjoyed when I had confirmation of his death.
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May - 23 
The pro- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which till now insisted on recognising the outfit as the sole representative of the Tamil people, will now take some crucial decisions on their future stand in the coming
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The pro- Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tamil National Alliance (TNA), which till now insisted on recognising the outfit as the sole representative of the Tamil people, will now take some crucial decisions on their future stand in the coming days, party sources said on May 23, according to Nation.lk. The other major decision before them is whether to go along with the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, brought in under the Indo-Lanka Accord signed in 1987. Earlier, the TNA rejected the 13th Amendment as being totally inadequate. The Sri Lankan Government is to implement the 13th Amendment as a means of resolving the conflict. Now freed from LTTE shackles it looks as if some members of the TNA now want to arrive at a settlement with the South. TNA Parliamentarian Suresh Premachandran told The Nation that he never subscribed to the view of recognising LTTE as the sole representatives of the Tamils, adding that the short meeting they had with the two visiting Indian dignitaries on May 21 at the India House was hardly enough to bring out their problems. The party is now expected send a delegation to Delhi, after their group meeting, to pursue matters from there. Parliamentarian Kisshor too said that Tamil people were now sick of this never ending conflict and they are looking forward to a realistic solution.
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May - 23 
The Sri Lankan Government also pledged to investigate claims of human rights violations committed during the conflict with LTTE, according to BBC. The pledge was made in a joint UN-Sri Lankan statement at the end of a visit by Ban Ki-Moon. But the Go
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The Sri Lankan Government also pledged to investigate claims of human rights violations committed during the conflict with LTTE, according to BBC. The pledge was made in a joint UN-Sri Lankan statement at the end of a visit by Ban Ki-Moon. But the Government rejected UN calls to allow aid agencies immediate unhindered access to Tamil refugee camps. President Rajapakse said the authorities first had to identify any remaining LTTE fighters in the camps. Reports also indicate that Rajapakse assured the UN chief that the LTTE child soldiers would be brought to the mainstream as “productive citizens” and the civilians displaced due to the war would be resettled within 180 days under globally-accepted norms, according to PTI. “The objective of the rehabilitation process presently underway is to reintegrate former child soldiers into society as productive citizens,” he told the UN chief. He also referred to his policy of zero tolerance in relation to child recruitment. In cooperation with UNICEF, child-friendly procedures have been established for their “release and surrender” and rehabilitation in Protective Accommodation Centres.
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May - 23 
The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following his visit to the Manik Farm camp, one of the major Infernally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Vavuniya, and conflict zone in Palamattalan met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse at
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The United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon following his visit to the Manik Farm camp, one of the major Infernally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Vavuniya, and conflict zone in Palamattalan met Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse at Kandy on May 23, according to Colombo Page. During the press conference following the meeting he said theta the Sri Lankan Government is doing its utmost, though it lacks resources. "There is a wide gap between what is needed and what is available," he stated. The UN chief was on a 24-hour visit for a firsthand assessment of the post-war situation in Sri Lanka and arrived Colombo late in the night of May 22. Describing the visit to the camp “very sobering” he said, "I saw for myself the circumstances in which the survivors find themselves, and the suffering they have experienced." He urged the Sri Lankan Government to give UN and other international humanitarian agencies need immediate and unimpeded access to the camps to help the Government meet urgent humanitarian needs. He also urged the Government to expedite screening and registration processes, and make it easier for families to reunite and to allow people more freedom of movement in and out of the camps. The Secretary-General called on the Government to initiate a political process of accommodation, dialogue and reconciliation and said the government should also undertake certain confidence-building measures to "clearly and unmistakably" signal its good intentions in addressing root causes of Tamil and Muslim grievances. He warned that if issues of reconciliation and social inclusion are not dealt with, history could repeat itself. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama who also accompanied Ban Ki-Moon at the press briefing categorically said that the Sri Lankan Security Forces carried out the war against terrorism without leaving room for any human rights violations. He also said that the Government would now focus on finding a political solution for the ethnic strife and it was happy to see that almost all the political parties have rallied around the Government on reaching a political settlement. He also said that the Government expects to conclude resettlements in the region within these 180 days. According to the minister, the Government has already started the process in Mannar District. It has already been able to resettle several displaced families there during the first and second phases of the process. The only obstacles are the land mines which were buried by the LTTE, Minister Bogollagama pointed out. The Sri Lanka Government hopes to begin resettlement of the recently liberated areas in the North soon after de-mining is complete.
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May - 24 
According to top military officials over 10,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have surrendered to the military, Sunday Observer reported on May 24. The officials said over 2,379 of them were identified by the military. While over
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According to top military officials over 10,000 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants have surrendered to the military, Sunday Observer reported on May 24. The officials said over 2,379 of them were identified by the military. While over 7,237 these militants, including 1,601 females, who had surrendered to the military, are now being rehabilitated at various rehabilitation centres, another batch of 202 militants, including 80 males, are living in Internally Displaced Persons camps. According to officials, these 202 militants were identified by the military and separated from the refugees in the welfare camps. “They surrendered to the troops when the military offensives got tough. The 202 terrorists including females are well trained LTTE terrorists”, they said. Over 2,065 of these cadres said that they surrendered to the troops at the Forward Defence Lines as they were disillusioned with their leadership. They had sensed the defeat and realised that the LTTE cadres had to fight to protect the life of their chief Velupillai Prabhakaran and not for Eelam.
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May - 24 
Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Police on May 24 found a massive haul of bombs hidden in a jungle in Vavuniya and disclosed the details of a plan to assassinate the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and General Secretary of the Eela
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Colombo Page reports that Sri Lanka Police on May 24 found a massive haul of bombs hidden in a jungle in Vavuniya and disclosed the details of a plan to assassinate the Minister of Social Services and Social Welfare and General Secretary of the Eelam People's Democratic Party Douglas Dewananda in Vavuniya. Police said they have found the explosives hidden in a jungle at Kandapuram area which were to be used for the assassination the minister Dewananda. Police said they have found 15 bombs weighing 131 kilo grams. According to the disclosed details by the Police, this assassination plan is to be carried out next week. Police are continuing further investigations.
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May - 24 
Sri Lanka Government on May 24 disclosed the details over the appeal made by foreign powers to save the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran at the last stages of the war, according to Colombo Page. Transport Mi
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Sri Lanka Government on May 24 disclosed the details over the appeal made by foreign powers to save the former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran at the last stages of the war, according to Colombo Page. Transport Minister Dullas Alahapperuma said that a foreign country has appealed the Sri Lanka Government at the last moment. According to the Minister, this country has handed over to the authorities a list of 50 names of LTTE leaders seeking to escape. However, Minister Alahapperuma did not disclose the name of this country, but he said that the entire nation would know who it is in the near future. He said this appeal clearly showed that certain foreign powers have supported the LTTE during the last three decades to fight against Sri Lanka Government and its people. According to a recent column by a Tamil journalist in a Sri Lankan daily, LTTE's chief negotiator Kumaran Padmanathan alias KP was in constant touch with the 'diplomats of at least four western nations, UN functionaries in Geneva and New York, a foreign cabinet minister and a few prominent western journalists' trying to get the LTTE leaders out at the final moment.
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May - 24 
Sunday Observer reported that high technical data on Airports and Air Force bases, including maps and manuals of sophisticated aircraft, were found by the Army hidden in a massive LTTE arms and ammunition dump from the area east of Pudukkudyirrippu,
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Sunday Observer reported that high technical data on Airports and Air Force bases, including maps and manuals of sophisticated aircraft, were found by the Army hidden in a massive LTTE arms and ammunition dump from the area east of Pudukkudyirrippu, according to ground sources. The arms and ammunition included, 300,000 M16 primers mainly used in manufacturing anti personnel mines, 40,000 detonators, 100,000 5.56-mm ammunition used for M16 weapons, 80,000 9-mm rounds, 20,000 3.47 mach rounds and 30,000 0.38 ammunition.
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May - 24 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has admitted for the first time that their chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead. In a telephone interview with BBC published on May 24, the head of outfit’s international relations, Selvarasa Pathmanathan,
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has admitted for the first time that their chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is dead. In a telephone interview with BBC published on May 24, the head of outfit’s international relations, Selvarasa Pathmanathan, said Prabhakaran had died on May 17 but did not give details of the circumstances. He also said that the outfit would now use non-violent methods to fight for the rights of Tamils. "We have already announced that we have given up violence and agreed to enter a democratic process to achieve the rights for the Tamil (self) determination of our people," he said. Most of the Tamil Tigers senior leadership is believed to have been killed in the fighting. In addition, in a statement signed by Pathmanathan the outfit said that their "incomparable leader" had "attained martyrdom" and declared a week of mourning starting on May 25 (today). The statement said he was killed "fighting the military oppression of the Sri Lankan government" on May 17. The statement called on Tamils all over the world to "restrain from harmful acts to themselves or anyone else in this hour of extreme grief".
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May - 24 
Troops recovered more and more Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) weapons in the continuing search and clear operations in the general area of Vellamullivaikkal in on May 24, according to Sri Lanka Army report. The recoveries included 30 T-56 we
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Troops recovered more and more Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) weapons in the continuing search and clear operations in the general area of Vellamullivaikkal in on May 24, according to Sri Lanka Army report. The recoveries included 30 T-56 weapons, three Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMG), one Small Machine Gun, one note book, FNC weapon, one modified mini UZI weapon, five T-81 weapons, two SLR weapons, one 40 mm grenade launcher, two 12 bore shotgun, one 303 rifle, 28 claymore mines, two Icom sets, dismantled components of a 152 mm artillery gun, 12 DF antennas, four Gonio meters, two AR 300A sets, two communication receivers, four DF frequency monitors, ten Icom base sets, three icom HF transistors, three Yesu base stations, four DOCLAR systems, three power units, One communication block unit, one DF unit, three Motorola hand held sets, three ADI AT 400 hand held sets, two ADI AT hand-held sets, 30 DF Cupio units, 25 antenna wire rolls, one conduit set, one Alanto VHF FM transistor, one display unit, one radio modem, three chargers, two mount brackets, three DF TAIYO TDR 500 units and one Honda generator.
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May - 24 
Troops recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, one magazine, 500 rounds of T-56 ammunitions, four anti personnel mines, 27 primers, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) barrel, two MPMG links, one RPG charger, one RPG jacket, nine 1.5v
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Troops recovered one Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher, one magazine, 500 rounds of T-56 ammunitions, four anti personnel mines, 27 primers, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) barrel, two MPMG links, one RPG charger, one RPG jacket, nine 1.5v large batteries, one wire roll and one pack containing medical items during a search operation in the eastern Kanchikudichchiaru on May 24, according to Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 24 
Vavuniya District Secretary P.M.S. Charles said that although the international community wants to increase the facilities for IDPs the Sri Lanka Government is providing for their needs at the moment, according to Colombo Page. Speaking to the media,
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Vavuniya District Secretary P.M.S. Charles said that although the international community wants to increase the facilities for IDPs the Sri Lanka Government is providing for their needs at the moment, according to Colombo Page. Speaking to the media, she said that currently there are no shortages of any requirements for the IDPs, adding, "We are providing every requirement including food, clothes, sanitary items and even education too to the displaced children. Living conditions are at a high standard and IDPs are living more happily compared with their past in the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)-held areas, Charles stated. According to the statistics, there are 262,000 IDPs living in welfare centers at Vavuniya. Of them, 220,000 are living at the Menik Farm Welfare Center and others are living at selected schools and temples in the area, she further added. The IDPs are being facilitated in Government welfare centres in 29 locations, including Government schools in the districts of Vavuniya, Mannar and Jaffna.
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May - 25 
According to a Sri Lanka Army report, nominations for the Jaffna and Vavuniya local Government elections are to be called for shortly after the gazette notification to that effect was issued, Minister for Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon ann
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According to a Sri Lanka Army report, nominations for the Jaffna and Vavuniya local Government elections are to be called for shortly after the gazette notification to that effect was issued, Minister for Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon announced at a media briefing in Colombo held on May 25. Nominations for Jaffna Municipal Council and Vavuniya Urban Council are to be filed between June 14-28 and election dates are to be fixed afterwards, the Minister announced. Elections in both these councils could not be held in the past 20 years or more as a result of violence and disruption caused by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
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May - 25 
Sri Lankan military on May 25 said it wants to boost up its manpower by more than 100,000 troops to prevent resurgence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or any other such group. The troop build up, which will increase the number of Sri L
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Sri Lankan military on May 25 said it wants to boost up its manpower by more than 100,000 troops to prevent resurgence of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) or any other such group. The troop build up, which will increase the number of Sri Lankan forces from 200,000 to 300,000, was announced by the Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka amidst fears in Colombo that the LTTE militants living abroad may try to resurrect the group under a new leadership. “There may be people abroad trying to promote a new leader and stage a comeback,” Fonseka told state-run Independent Television Network. But, “it will not be easy for them to build up a terror group as they did before”, the army chief asserted. More than 22,000 LTTE militants were killed in the offensive and another 9,000 surrendered to the Government forces, Fonseka added. He also indicated that fresh operations might be carried out to flush out small LTTE units still in hiding in the jungles.
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May - 25 
Troops recovered four partly decomposed dead bodies of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one pistol, one pistol magazine with three rounds, one 40-mm grenade launcher, 211 T-56 weapons, two T-56 magazines, 44 rounds, one
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Troops recovered four partly decomposed dead bodies of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with one pistol, one pistol magazine with three rounds, one 40-mm grenade launcher, 211 T-56 weapons, two T-56 magazines, 44 rounds, one suicide belt, 21 I-com radio sets, one generator (Yamha 4.4), 38 ARMR ammunition, 1000 detonators, one DET code roll, 11 parcel of explosives, three suicide jackets, five claymore mines, one T-81 weapon, two sniper weapons, 15 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), eleven 60-mm mortar barrels, nine 60-mm mortar base plates, 34 Multi Purpose Machine Guns (MPMG), 14 G3A3 weapons, 16 FNC weapons, 13 SLR weapons, five 303 rifle, 50 paddle gun ammo box (35 rounds each), 19 MPMG ammo box ( 200 rounds each), 21 MPMG ammo box (200 rounds wit links), six GPMG ammo boxes (200 rounds wit links), twelve 12.7 ammo boxes (35 rounds each), three 40-mm grenade launcher bomb boxes (32 rounds each), nine Oxygen cylinders (large), four MPMG empty drums, seven hundred 12.7 ammunition, one compressor, 15 acid cans (five litre), six sea mines, four Oxygen cylinders (small), three diving jackets, seven diving kits, six diving shoes and 10 compressor oil cans during search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal and Asikulam areas of Mullaitivu District on May 25, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 26 
Colombo Page reports that the Government of Japan has decided to provide additional aid worth US$ 1.4 million for de-mining in northern Sri Lanka. The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced on May 26 that they expect to provide these funds through the
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Colombo Page reports that the Government of Japan has decided to provide additional aid worth US$ 1.4 million for de-mining in northern Sri Lanka. The Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced on May 26 that they expect to provide these funds through the Danish De-mining Group and the HALO Trust. The funds are allocated for de-mining in recently liberated areas in Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya. This will be the second time this year that the Japanese Government assists Sri Lanka with de-mining. Earlier the Japanese government provided a grant of US$ 700,000 for humanitarian de-mining in Mannar through Swiss Foundation for Mine Action. The total contribution from Japan for de-mining activities in the North therefore reaches US$ 2.1 million, the Embassy said.
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May - 26 
Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to use two of the captured LTTE air strips for their activities, SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said. According to the spokesman, they would convert the captured Iranamadu
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Colombo Page reports that the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is to use two of the captured LTTE air strips for their activities, SLAF spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said. According to the spokesman, they would convert the captured Iranamadu runway east of the Jaffna-Kandy (A9) road in Kilinochchi into a small air base. The larger airstrip taken from the LTTE close to Mullaitivu would be developed for the use of SLAF in the near future. During the two and half years of military operations in the North, Sri Lanka Army has captured seven air strips used by the LTTE.
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May - 26 
During search operations in the Karativu and Aliyaodi areas of Ampara District, the Security Forces recovered 2000 electric detonators and 47 hand grenades on May 26.
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During search operations in the Karativu and Aliyaodi areas of Ampara District, the Security Forces recovered 2000 electric detonators and 47 hand grenades on May 26.
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May - 26 
During separate search operations conducted in the Kalapokakulam, Therumurukandy and Ampakamam areas the Security Forces (SFs) recovered two pistols with four magazines, two 81-mm mortar barrels, four 81-mm mortar tripod clamping collars, one unknow
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During separate search operations conducted in the Kalapokakulam, Therumurukandy and Ampakamam areas the Security Forces (SFs) recovered two pistols with four magazines, two 81-mm mortar barrels, four 81-mm mortar tripod clamping collars, one unknown mortar barrel, three RPG barrels, three 50 weapon barrels and one body part, one 12.7-mm body part, three upper collars and five tripod legs, eight GPMG weapons and five barrels, four Light Machine Gun butts and 28 body parts, two G3A3 weapons, two T-81 weapons, two T-56 MK I weapons, two T-56 MK II weapons, six T-56 MK III weapons, four unknown tripods, four unknown tripod legs, six unknown weapon holders, 11 MG drums, 11 T-81 magazines, 45 G3A3 magazines, 16 T-56 magazines, six receiving covers, 16 T-56 cocking handles, 10 SLR magazines, 22 RPG bombs, 29 hand grenades, five unknown grenades, four Arul bombs, thirty-one 120-mm mortar chargers, two 60-mm mortar charger boxes, 200 kilograms of TNT explosives, 83 kilograms of primers, four kilograms of low explosives, 13 kilograms of black powder, 12 kilograms of low explosives (brown colour), 36 kilograms of C-4 explosives, 530 kilograms of steel balls, 25 kilograms of Aluminium balls, 24 bottles of chemicals, 17300 switches, 517 fuses, 18 artillery fuses, 55 kilograms of unidentified chemical powder, 105 tubes of white explosives, one firing device, eight claymore mines, 45 jumping mines, 108 Jonny mines, 30 booby trap devices made of 81- mm mortar bombs, one booby trap device made of 60-mm mortar bomb, 13 booby traps made of RPG rounds, forty four 120-mm mortar bombs, one hundred and thirty eight 81-mm mortar bombs, one I-com set and thirty-nine 60-mm mortar bombs.
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May - 26 
Four decomposed dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered by the troops from the Vaddakachchi, Visuamadukulam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ampakamam and Vellamullivaikkal areas
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Four decomposed dead bodies of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants along with huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered by the troops from the Vaddakachchi, Visuamadukulam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Ampakamam and Vellamullivaikkal areas of Mullaitivu District on May 26, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. The recoveries included five Light Machine Guns (LMG), 10 LMG parts, 32 sea-mine casings, 38 claymore mines, two explosive-filed suicide jackets, two Bangalore torpedoes, one Outboard Motor, 361 rounds of 12.7 ammunition, 393 Rocket Propelled Grenades, 33 hand grenades, 44 T-56 weapons, five T-81 weapons, two FNC weapons, one unidentified weapon, two 0.22 weapons, one modified weapon, three 9-mm pistols and two magazines, one sniper weapon, forty 422-mm projectiles, 15 I-com sets, three communication base station sets, one part of a Multi Purpose Machine Gun, one Global Positioning System, 18 rounds of 9-mm ammunition, one part of a paddle gun, 28 rounds of paddle gun ammunition, 43150 rounds of T-56 ammunition, 32500 rounds of General Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, 52500 rounds of tracer ammunition, 2278 rounds of 0.38 ammunition, 900 rounds of M-38 ammunition, three magazines, 1000-m detonator cord, seventeen 82-mm white phosphorous bombs, 67 Improvised Explosive Devices, two 60-mm mortar by-pods, one 120-mm mortar bomb, one 81-mm mortar base plate, two 12.7-mm ammunition boxes, five 81-mm mortar bombs, nine 81-mm mortar fuses, twenty-eight 60-mm mortar bombs, 14 Arul bombs, 350 cartridges, eight kilograms of C-4 high-explosives, three anti-personnel mines, one cyanide capsule, three mobile phones, one telephone directory, three dog tags, one map of Iranamadu area, four LTTE uniforms, one pouch and four LTTE caps.
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May - 26 
More than 9,000 LTTE militants have been questioned by judges and the majority will undergo rehabilitation, Sri Lanka's military said on May 26, according to Reuters. Many of the remaining 2,000 who have "self-confessed" are likely to face trial. "Th
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More than 9,000 LTTE militants have been questioned by judges and the majority will undergo rehabilitation, Sri Lanka's military said on May 26, according to Reuters. Many of the remaining 2,000 who have "self-confessed" are likely to face trial. "They have taken guns, fought against the Army. So they have to go through rehabilitation so that they can live as normal Sri Lankans," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara. Nanayakkara told reporters the process of weeding out and rehabilitating former militants was already under way. Each one has been brought before judges, he said. Nanayakkara said anyone who had been trained by the LTTE to carry arms was considered a combatant. "Since the start of fighting in different locations, 9,100 LTTE cadres have self-confessed. We have sent 7,000 of them to welfare camps for rehabilitation after legal proceedings, while others are facing court proceedings,” he added.
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May - 26 
Police on May 26 called on anyone who had links to the LTTE to surrender themselves to the nearest Police station or army camp in the area. Making a special statement to the media, Police spokesman Ranjith Gunathilaka said there is no need to involve
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Police on May 26 called on anyone who had links to the LTTE to surrender themselves to the nearest Police station or army camp in the area. Making a special statement to the media, Police spokesman Ranjith Gunathilaka said there is no need to involve a third party in this process. He stressed that the Police and Military would provide adequate security to those who surrender. The Sri Lankan Government hopes to rehabilitate those with former LTTE links after they have faced possible criminal charges in the courts. At the moment, there are nearly 10,000 surrendered LTTE cadres rehabilitating at several centres throughout the country.
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May - 26 
SFs recovered one pistol with two magazines, twelve 9-mm ammunition rounds, six T-56 weapons, five T-56 magazines, one hundred and seventy nine 7.62 ammunition, 15 metres of flexible wire, one 84-s weapon, one claymore mine, two hand grenades, one el
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SFs recovered one pistol with two magazines, twelve 9-mm ammunition rounds, six T-56 weapons, five T-56 magazines, one hundred and seventy nine 7.62 ammunition, 15 metres of flexible wire, one 84-s weapon, one claymore mine, two hand grenades, one electric detonator, fifty one 84-s ammunition rounds, one trapped 81-mm mortar bomb and one hand grenade from the Kadawana, Kinniya Magauththu jungles and Therumaveli areas.
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May - 26 
The Government has initiated the de-mining process to expedite resettlement of displaced people in their original habitats under the Uthuru Wasanthaya program, according to Daily News. De-mining and removing of booby traps along the A-32 highways is
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The Government has initiated the de-mining process to expedite resettlement of displaced people in their original habitats under the Uthuru Wasanthaya program, according to Daily News. De-mining and removing of booby traps along the A-32 highways is in progress, Presidential Advisor and former Inspector General of Police Chandra Fernando said. According to Fernando, troops have recovered over 527 anti-personnel mines (APMs), two anti-tank mines and 29 other bombs from the area. Over 16 APMs and nine other bombs were found from the area where the famous rice bowl is situated. The objective of the Uthuru Wasanthaya program is to ensure welfare, security and the development of people in the North. This program is conducted by the Government under the directive and close supervision of Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapakse who is also the Chairman of Presidential Task on Resettlement, Security and Development in the North. Fernando said the Security Forces are engaged in mine clearance soon after the humanitarian mission to free civilians from the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was completed.
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May - 26 
The Government is set to announce a National Framework Proposal on the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life shortly, Daily News reported on May 26. This will be a key element of its post-conflict peace building and development process. T
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The Government is set to announce a National Framework Proposal on the reintegration of ex-combatants into civilian life shortly, Daily News reported on May 26. This will be a key element of its post-conflict peace building and development process. The envisioned policy intervention is designed to facilitate the reintegration of ex-combatants and contribute towards durable peace, by improving the employability of ex-combatants for civilian occupation, minimizing risk of socio-economic marginalization and ensuring them a smooth transition from military affiliations into larger communities. The broader objectives will be to foster reconciliation and create opportunities for economic revitalization, which in turn will strengthen efforts to build sustainable peace and restore long-term stability in the country, the Disaster Management and Human Rights Ministry said. The Ministry added that the draft proposal which is being prepared under its purview will be ready by end June, and national consultations will be held in mid - July to endorse the framework. The Ministry said following a national sensitization workshop, five working groups had been established recently on disarmament and demobilization, rehabilitation, reinsertion, social reintegration and economic reintegration.
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May - 26 
The Government said in Parliament on May 26 that the State of Emergency will not be relaxed immediately despite the end of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. Speaking in the Parliament, Leader of the House, Ministe
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The Government said in Parliament on May 26 that the State of Emergency will not be relaxed immediately despite the end of the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), according to Colombo Page. Speaking in the Parliament, Leader of the House, Minister Nimal Siripala Silva, said the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and State of Emergency will be continued as it is too premature to lift the emergency regulations yet. The Minister said termination of civil war does not suggest a complete halt to terrorism and related atrocities. Though terrorism has been completely wiped out, terrorists are still at large, he warned. Pointing out that LTTE cadres are still surrendering to the troops, the Minister said emergency regulations are needed to deal with those LTTE suspects and the others who are currently in custody. The opposition parties have called the Government to relax the emergency following the military victory.
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May - 26 
The Government through the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry has allocated SLR 1,270 million to provide opportunities for social and economic empowerment by focusing on balanced and sustainable development in the Eastern
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The Government through the Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure Development Ministry has allocated SLR 1,270 million to provide opportunities for social and economic empowerment by focusing on balanced and sustainable development in the Eastern Province. The normal life of Easterners has paved the way for rapid development in the Districts of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Ampara after being liberated from the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), a Spokesman of the Nation Building Ministry told Daily News. People of these three districts have undergone untold hardships due to terrorism during the last three decades and it is the most urgent need and toughest challenge of the Government to uplift their living standards to bring about accelerated development in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, 749 projects will be implemented in the Ampara District. Among them 571 rural road development projects, 41 garbage disposal management projects, 14 bridges, 12 electricity projects, 32 irrigation projects, 18 social welfare projects, 45 drinking water projects and 16 educational and health projects will be undertaken by the Ministry. Meanwhile, 302 rural road development projects, 10 garbage disposal management projects, constructing of five bridges, nine electricity and irrigation projects, 12 social development projects, 20 drinking water projects and 16 educational and health projects have been proposed for the Batticaloa district. It is estimated that around 191,300 people would benefit from these projects. The spokesman said around 350 rural road development projects, 60 garbage disposal projects, 10 bridges, 42 electricity and irrigation projects, 10 social welfare projects, 25 drinking water projects and 17 health and educational projects will be implemented in the Trincomalee District. Financial allocations have already been made for this purpose by the Ministry, he said.
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May - 26 
The Sri Lanka Government on May 26 said that the international community could now assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North if they have real clemency. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, Media Minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardana sai
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The Sri Lanka Government on May 26 said that the international community could now assist internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the North if they have real clemency. Speaking at a press briefing in Colombo, Media Minister Laxman Yapa Abeywardana said they would not reject any international assistance that meets the Government’s conditions. According to the Media Minister, this is the opportunity for the international community to serve the IDPs in Sri Lanka, an opportunity they sought in the past. "The international community repeatedly urged the access to serve displaced persons in the past and finally the time for it has dawned," he said. Government statistics indicate that there are 214,383 IDPs currently living in welfare centres in Vavuniya. They belong to 65,347 families.
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May - 26 
The Sri Lankan Government on May 26 sought international police (Interpol) assistance to locate and arrest the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) arms procurement chief Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP who is believed to be hiding somewhere in So
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The Sri Lankan Government on May 26 sought international police (Interpol) assistance to locate and arrest the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) arms procurement chief Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP who is believed to be hiding somewhere in South East Asia. Government sources said countries alerted included Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand from where KP was believed to be operating while Australia and Britain were also indicated as likely countries where KP could be living. Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona confirmed to Daily Mirror that Interpol assistance was sought to have KP arrested and investigations into his whereabouts were currently underway. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse in an interview with a private television station in the night of May 24 also called on the international community and Interpol to assist in arresting KP as he was an LTTE arms smuggler. It is reported that slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had contacted KP in the final hours before his death and urged KP to rescue him and the trapped cadres from area the LTTE was cornered in. KP is said to have assured Prabhakaran that he was doing his best to get him and his cadres out of the North and had sought the assistance of leading figures in the international community to rescue the LTTE Leader. “In the final hours Prabhakaran spoke to KP, urging him to save him. KP obviously gave him false hope that he was trying to do something,” Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman said.
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May - 26 
United Press International reports that Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has rejected the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) offer to take the democratic route in their struggle. Speaking to BBC, he said the LTTE, defeated recently by the
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United Press International reports that Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has rejected the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) offer to take the democratic route in their struggle. Speaking to BBC, he said the LTTE, defeated recently by the Sri Lankan military, cannot be trusted to give up terrorism. "I do not believe the LTTE can enter a democratic process after years of their violent activities," adding, other political parties could represent the Tamils. Earlier, Selvarasa Pathmanathan, a senior LTTE spokesman, told the British network they were prepared to use non-violent means to achieve their goal of winning rights for the Tamil-speaking minority, and would be ready to pursue the democratic process.
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May - 27 
11 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the troops in the Kalavanchikudi area of Batticaloa District in the morning of May 27, according to Sri Lanka Army. Subsequently the troops recovered dead bodies of all the 11 slain
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11 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) militants were killed by the troops in the Kalavanchikudi area of Batticaloa District in the morning of May 27, according to Sri Lanka Army. Subsequently the troops recovered dead bodies of all the 11 slain militants along with five T-56 weapons, 20 claymore mines weighing about 15 kilograms each, two hand grenades, three anti-personnel mines and a stock of medical items from the area.
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May - 27 
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said that even though some pro-LTTE groups bring up various opinions, the LTTE has totally been destroyed by the Security Forces and there is no room for the LTTE to revive in the country, according to News.lk.
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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said that even though some pro-LTTE groups bring up various opinions, the LTTE has totally been destroyed by the Security Forces and there is no room for the LTTE to revive in the country, according to News.lk.
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May - 27 
The UN Human Rights Council on May 27 dropped a Swiss-EU draft resolution calling for an investigation into possible war crimes during Sri Lanka’s recently-concluded war on terrorism and adopted Sri Lanka’s counter resolution with some of the proposa
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The UN Human Rights Council on May 27 dropped a Swiss-EU draft resolution calling for an investigation into possible war crimes during Sri Lanka’s recently-concluded war on terrorism and adopted Sri Lanka’s counter resolution with some of the proposals in the Swiss-EU document incorporated into it, according to The Hindu. Of the 47-member Council, 29 voted for Sri Lanka’s resolution, 12 against and 6 abstained. The UN Human Rights Chief Navi Pillay had told the Council there was credible evidence that both the forces and the LTTE grossly violated international humanitarian laws. But Sri Lanka — backed by Asian countries including India, China, and Pakistan — managed to push through its own resolution. The text condemns the LTTE and “welcomes... the liberation by the government of Sri Lanka of tens of thousands of its citizens that were kept by the LTTE against their will as hostages.” The Council, an inter-governmental body within the UN system, called on Sri Lanka’s Government to “continue strengthening its activities to ensure there was no discrimination against ethnic minorities in the enjoyment of the full range of human rights.” It also commended Sri Lanka on its efforts to assist the estimated 3,00,000 people displaced by the war in the north and called on the international community to help the country rebuild after the conflict. In a statement, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Sri Lanka Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, said at the UN Human Rights Council Special Session on Sri Lanka, “There is absolutely no issue in terms of giving access. To our partners we have given access and we will continue to give access to complement government efforts in looking after the needy. Today we have all of the U.N. agencies working side by side with governmental officials in each and every one of these camps. Today we have given access to 52 international non-governmental organisations and other non-governmental organisations to work side by side with government officials in complementing efforts of the government.”
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May - 27 
Troops during search and clear operation in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area of Mullaitivu District recovered one I-com set, 50 suicide jackets with explosives, eight suicide jackets without explosives, five suicide belts, 16 claymore mines, 11 Arul bombs,
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Troops during search and clear operation in the Puthukkudiyiruppu area of Mullaitivu District recovered one I-com set, 50 suicide jackets with explosives, eight suicide jackets without explosives, five suicide belts, 16 claymore mines, 11 Arul bombs, three Rocket Propeller Grenades, one hand Para, three anti-personnel mines, 20 kilograms of C-4 explosives, three rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Gun ammunition, twelve 81-mm mortar fuses, eighteen 81-mm mortar cartridges, 10 hand grenades, 14 T-56 gas tubes, 15 T-56 magazines and one Bangalore torpedo on May 27, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 28 
Colombo Page reports that the political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) women force, Subramaniam Shivathai alias Thamilini, was arrested by Police at a welfare village in Vavuniya, Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith
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Colombo Page reports that the political wing leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) women force, Subramaniam Shivathai alias Thamilini, was arrested by Police at a welfare village in Vavuniya, Senior Superintendent of Police Ranjith Gunasekara said. She was with her mother and sister when she was arrested, he added. Subramaniam Shivathai reached the Government-controlled areas with other civilians during the last civilian rescue operations in the No-Fire Zone at Mullaitivu. She reportedly threw away her cyanide capsule and revolver before reaching the Government-controlled areas with other civilians. One of her sisters, Santhilan, was killed in a clash with the SFs at Paranthan a few months ago.
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May - 28 
Sri Lanka Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka said on May 28 that the remaining LTTE cadres may carry out hit-and-run attacks, reports Colombo Page. However, he assured that the LTTE cannot regroup militarily, saying, "We have destroyed the LTTE leader
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Sri Lanka Army Chief General Sarath Fonseka said on May 28 that the remaining LTTE cadres may carry out hit-and-run attacks, reports Colombo Page. However, he assured that the LTTE cannot regroup militarily, saying, "We have destroyed the LTTE leadership's first, second and third rungs. The LTTE is over… They may do a bit of hit-and-run tactics, but they are militarily over. We expanded our troop strength and took a practical approach to finish the war...within two years and 10 months.” The Army Chief also said the Army lost 190 officers and 5200 men during the latest fighting while 27,000 soldiers were also injured. Troops have also killed 22,000 militants and arrested 9000 others during the same period, he added.
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May - 28 
Sri Lanka Army medical experts have reportedly confirmed that the DNA from the body of the slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran matches the DNA from his slain son, Charles Anthony. Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Army’s
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Sri Lanka Army medical experts have reportedly confirmed that the DNA from the body of the slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran matches the DNA from his slain son, Charles Anthony. Military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Army’s Medical Directorate, with assistance from the Ministry of Health, conducted the DNA test to make sure that the two bodies belonged to Prabhakaran and his son.
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May - 28 
The Government has relaxed restrictions on motor vehicles in centres for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Vavuniya, where the country's largest IDP centre, Manik Farm, is located, according to Colombo Page. “An interim measure has been agre
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The Government has relaxed restrictions on motor vehicles in centres for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Vavuniya, where the country's largest IDP centre, Manik Farm, is located, according to Colombo Page. “An interim measure has been agreed whereby aid agency vehicles including trucks can now travel in and out of Manik Farm zones, only not in convoy and without agency flags,” the United Nations (UN) spokesperson Marie Okabe said. She said the Sri Lankan military had announced it was leaving the camps and would hand over control to civilian authorities.
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May - 28 
The Security Forces (SFs) recovered nine T-56 weapons, thirty-five 120-mm mortar bombs two hundred and fifty 122-mm mortar bombs and 10 I-com radio sets during search and clear operations from the Kilinochchi, Vishuamadu, Vellamullivaikkal and Vaddak
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The Security Forces (SFs) recovered nine T-56 weapons, thirty-five 120-mm mortar bombs two hundred and fifty 122-mm mortar bombs and 10 I-com radio sets during search and clear operations from the Kilinochchi, Vishuamadu, Vellamullivaikkal and Vaddakachchi areas.
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May - 28 
The Sri Lankan Army announced that Veraswami Thiruwengadam Velupillai (79) and Velupillai Parvathi Pillai, father and mother of Prabhakaran, are in one of the Government temporary welfare camps at Manik Farm in Vavuniya District. “Late Prabakaran’s m
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The Sri Lankan Army announced that Veraswami Thiruwengadam Velupillai (79) and Velupillai Parvathi Pillai, father and mother of Prabhakaran, are in one of the Government temporary welfare camps at Manik Farm in Vavuniya District. “Late Prabakaran’s mother and father who had sought refuge with others after exiting from Puthumanthalam area were identified on Thursday by military authorities,” said a Defence Ministry statement. Military spokesperson Udaya Nayanakkara told The Hindu, “The Army learnt about the presence of parents of Prabhakaran in one of the IDP camps in Manik Farm Complex from other displaced sheltered there on Wednesday. On being approached by authorities, parents of Prabhakaran confirmed their identity.“
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May - 28 
Troops recovered two claymore mines weighing 7.5 kilograms each, 76 anti-personnel mines (APMs), 11 C-90 weapons, 18 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) heat bombs, 13 OG 9-mm bombs, fifty two 81-mm mortar bombs, thirteen 81-mm mortar bombs, thirty five 8
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Troops recovered two claymore mines weighing 7.5 kilograms each, 76 anti-personnel mines (APMs), 11 C-90 weapons, 18 Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) heat bombs, 13 OG 9-mm bombs, fifty two 81-mm mortar bombs, thirteen 81-mm mortar bombs, thirty five 81-mm mortar fuses, 15 anti personnel mine (APM) chargers, 123 of 60-mm fuses, one Surface to Air Missile, 40 RPG cartridges, 77 Arul type bombs, one thermo baric, two disposable RPGs, two claymore mines of 12.5 kilograms, two claymore mines of 7.5 kilograms, one claymore mine of 1 kilogram, 1500 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one T-81 weapon, four I-com radio sets, one Global Positioning System, two 9-mm pistols with three magazines, two satellite phones and one night vision device from the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District on May 28, reports Sri Lanka Army. The search and clears operations also continued in the Panalkandamadu and Kadjuwaththa areas, still swarming with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) explosive devices - landmines and booby traps -, the report added.
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May - 29 
An investigation by The Times (London) published on May 29 has revealed that more than 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed by Sri Lankan armed forces in the final stages of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This number is th
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An investigation by The Times (London) published on May 29 has revealed that more than 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed by Sri Lankan armed forces in the final stages of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). This number is thrice the number of casualties announced by the Sri Lankan Government. Although Government authorities state that their Army stopped using heavy artillery on April 27 and observed the No Fire Zone (NFZ) where some 10,000 civilians were trapped in the fighting between the two sides, the London-based newspaper has relied on aerial photographs, official documents, witness accounts and expert testimony to conclude that innocent civilians paid the price in the battle. A Sri Lankan High Commission spokesperson, however, told the newspaper, "We reject all these allegations. Civilians have not been killed by government shelling at all. If civilians have been killed, then that is because of the actions of the LTTE who were shooting and killing people when they tried to escape."
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May - 29 
Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Sarwaruthoddam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Karaiyamullivaikal and Vishuamadu areas of Mullaitivu District on May 29 and recovered 28 T-56 weapons, two T-56 magazines, five T-81
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Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Sarwaruthoddam, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Karaiyamullivaikal and Vishuamadu areas of Mullaitivu District on May 29 and recovered 28 T-56 weapons, two T-56 magazines, five T-81 weapons, three T-81 magazines, three 9-mm pistols, six claymore mines weighing about 1.5 kilograms each, 33 hand grenades, five electric detonators, 40 I-com sets, two sniper gun magazines, one SMG weapon, one 7.5 kilograms claymore mine, 2700 unidentified cartridge boxes, 550 rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, two claymore mines, three 81-mm mortar fuses, 11 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), 34 maps, 100 detonators, 35 Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) locally made hand grenades, 25 anti-personnel mines (APMs), 14 APM fuses, five RPG chargers, one night vision device, two RPG launcher sights, one claymore mine weighing about 30 kilograms, one claymore mine weighing about 2.5 kilograms, three claymore mines weighing about 7.5 kilograms, six claymore mines weighing about 12.5 kilograms, three claymore mines weighing about 20 kilograms, two bar mines, three anti tank mines, six booby traps, seven kilograms of low explosives, one Hero Honda Motorbike, one Roller laminating machine, one HP printing machine, 19 Singer swamping machines, 300,000 candles, two suicide jackets, two 1.5 V batteries, two Multi Propose Machine Guns, one 5.56 weapon, one satellite phone, two pistols, one .22 weapon, one silencer weapon, one T-56 grenade launcher weapon, one M-16 weapon, one M-16 grenade launcher weapon, one T-56 medium weapon, two 40-mm grenade launchers and three 9-mm magazines, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 29 
Colombo Page reports that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on May 29 produced the surrendered former LTTE media spokesperson Velaudhan Dayanidi alias Daya Master in court for the first time. Daya Master reportedly gave a three hour-long co
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Colombo Page reports that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on May 29 produced the surrendered former LTTE media spokesperson Velaudhan Dayanidi alias Daya Master in court for the first time. Daya Master reportedly gave a three hour-long confidential statement in front of the Colombo Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi. Daya Master had surrendered to the Sri Lanka Army on April 22 with another prominent leader, George Master, in the Putumattalan area of Mullaitivu inside the No Fire Zone.
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May - 29 
Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has requested the Government of Malaysia to consider proscribing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Colombo Page reports. He pointed out that the LTTE is already banned in over 30 count
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Sri Lanka Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has requested the Government of Malaysia to consider proscribing the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), Colombo Page reports. He pointed out that the LTTE is already banned in over 30 countries including the USA, UK, Canada, India and many of the EU nations. Bogollagama expressed his deep concern regarding certain illicit overseas activities of the LTTE such as fund raising, arms trading and human trafficking.
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May - 29 
The Army arrested three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects along with arms and ammunition and handed them over to the Police in the Vakarai area of Batticaloa District on May 28, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. The three suspects
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The Army arrested three Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) suspects along with arms and ammunition and handed them over to the Police in the Vakarai area of Batticaloa District on May 28, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. The three suspects from Valaichchenai area, identified as K.P. Amarasinghe alias Puwalendi, 30, P. Samuel alias Yogan, 40, and S. Sivanathan alias Rahula, 35, were arrested along with three T56 magazines, 210 T-56 ammunition, eight magazines, a pistol with eight rounds, a pistol magazine, a claymore mine, a remote control device, a wire roll, two hand grenades, four anti-personnel mines, three fuses, three detonators, two cyanide capsules, a jack, two belt order and bandages.
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May - 30 
Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Putumattalan and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Mullaitivu District during May 30 and recovered 120 kilograms of C-4 high explosives, one claymore mine weighing about fiv
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Army troops continued their search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal, Putumattalan and Puthukkudiyiruppu areas of Mullaitivu District during May 30 and recovered 120 kilograms of C-4 high explosives, one claymore mine weighing about five kilograms, one 9-mm pistol, 104 T-56 weapons, six modified T-56 weapons, 25 I-com sets, two I-com base stations, one 152-mm artillery barrel, one 1300-mm trail, two tripods, four T-81 weapons, one Light Machine Gun, six 40-mm grenade launchers, eight 12.7 weapon tripods, three Rocket Propelled Grenade launchers, six unidentified weapons, four Multi Propose Machine Guns, one 12.7-mm weapon, one sniper gun, five anti-personnel mines, one thousand and five hundred 81-mm mortar fuses, 20 claymore cases, four Improvised Explosive Devices, 15 pressure mine cases, eighty thousand 9-mm ammunition, thirty thousand nine hundred and ninety-two 0.38 mm ammunition, one hundred two thousand and forty 5.50 ammunition and forty-two thousand non electric detonators, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 30 
Police conducted search and clear operations in the Uppuveli area of Trincomalee District and Karakallimadu area of Batticaloa District during May 30 and recovered two landmines weighing approximately 15 kilograms each, one landmine, eighteen 60-mm m
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Police conducted search and clear operations in the Uppuveli area of Trincomalee District and Karakallimadu area of Batticaloa District during May 30 and recovered two landmines weighing approximately 15 kilograms each, one landmine, eighteen 60-mm mortar bombs, one hand-held radio set, one claymore mine weighing about 1.5 kilograms and two Rocket Propelled Grenade bombs, reports Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 30 
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) team leader of Trincomalee south, Shanker, surrendered to the Army at Kallar in the afternoon of May 30, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. Later, he was handed over to the Police for further investigati
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The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) team leader of Trincomalee south, Shanker, surrendered to the Army at Kallar in the afternoon of May 30, according to a Sri Lanka Army report. Later, he was handed over to the Police for further investigations.
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May - 31 
Implementing its troop deployment plan for the fully liberated Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts, the Sri Lanka Army has established two Security Forces (SFs) Headquarters in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi to oversee the overall security plan of the t
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Implementing its troop deployment plan for the fully liberated Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts, the Sri Lanka Army has established two Security Forces (SFs) Headquarters in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi to oversee the overall security plan of the two Districts, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka said, reports Daily News. These two SFs Headquarters will be established in addition to the SFs Headquarters in Wanni.
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May - 31 
Lakshman Hulugalle, a Sri Lankan Defence Ministry spokesman, denied the allegation that 20,000 people were killed. He said on May 30, “These figures are way out . . . What we think is that these images are also fake. We totally deny the allegation th
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Lakshman Hulugalle, a Sri Lankan Defence Ministry spokesman, denied the allegation that 20,000 people were killed. He said on May 30, “These figures are way out . . . What we think is that these images are also fake. We totally deny the allegation that 20,000 people were killed.”
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May - 31 
Police conducted search and clear operations in the Vakarai and Puttur areas of Batticaloa on District on May 31 and recovered one T-56 weapon, one magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition and 776 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Guns ammunition, accord
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Police conducted search and clear operations in the Vakarai and Puttur areas of Batticaloa on District on May 31 and recovered one T-56 weapon, one magazine, 30 rounds of T-56 ammunition and 776 rounds of Multi Purpose Machine Guns ammunition, according to a Sri Lanka Army report.
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May - 31 
Sri Lanka appealed for support in dismantling the LTTE international support network after victory over the militants. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a high-level security forum in Singapore that the global organisation of the LTTE remaine
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Sri Lanka appealed for support in dismantling the LTTE international support network after victory over the militants. Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told a high-level security forum in Singapore that the global organisation of the LTTE remained “largely intact,” according to Daily News. “Many of the operatives have clearly cultivated powerful, political lobbies in certain capitals with a view to resurrecting the LTTE.” “It is important for the international community to take all measures to assist the government of Sri Lanka to track down the global network of the LTTE,” he told an annual forum of defence and military officials organised by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. Bogollagama also dismissed allegations that heavy weapons were used by the military in civilian areas as part of the “propaganda of genocide against the Tamil people.” “This was both fictional and well-fabricated, with ulterior and sinister motives in order to discredit the Armed Forces as well as to embarrass the Government of Sri Lanka,” he added.
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May - 31 
Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was the biggest mistake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which cost them the sympathy of India, The Hindu reported on May 31. "To kil
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Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was the biggest mistake of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) which cost them the sympathy of India, The Hindu reported on May 31. "To kill Rajiv Gandhi. They antagonised the whole sympathy of India. That was the biggest mistake I think they did in 30 years," Rajapaksa told NDTV. He said that when ethnic Tamil issue took root in Sri Lanka, India was sympathetic to their cause. "...and finally they killed an Indian leader who was loved by all," Rajapaksa said when asked about the biggest mistake committed by the LTTE. The President also said that another mistake of the LTTE was to underestimate the powers of the State. "They didn't gauge the powers of this soft country," he said. Asked whether Indian Government put pressure on him during the final stages of the fight against the LTTE, Rajapaksa replied in the negative, saying, "No. I dont think so… Among friends there cannot be pressure or persuasion."
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May - 31 
The ongoing demonstration outside the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament in Westminster by the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demonstrators has since its inception 43 days ago cost the country’s largest Police force almost eight million poun
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The ongoing demonstration outside the United Kingdom (UK) Parliament in Westminster by the pro-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) demonstrators has since its inception 43 days ago cost the country’s largest Police force almost eight million pound sterling, revealed the Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson, Sunday Observer reported on May 31. Speaking to a Home Affairs Committee he said the demonstration meant that the Police force was extraordinarily stretched, adding, “We have to provide such a level of resources that it is reducing policing on the streets of London.” During the last 43 days, these pro-LTTE supporters had been there around the clock, waving flags with the LTTE insignia in violation of the UK Anti Terrorism laws. On a couple of occasions the demonstrators had made their way to the Indian High Commission in Holborn and protested there. On the first occasion they had pelted stones and other missiles and managed to break the bullet proof windows of the Indian High commission. They have also staged demonstrations outside the Sri Lankan embassy several times and have pelted stones at the embassy.
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May - 31 
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilike, told The Island on May 31 that during Eelam war IV the SLAF conducted over 3,000 missions against some 1,900 targets in the north and east over the past three years. He said
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The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilike, told The Island on May 31 that during Eelam war IV the SLAF conducted over 3,000 missions against some 1,900 targets in the north and east over the past three years. He said three jet squadrons comprising Kfirs, MiG 27s and F7s and the No. 9 “Attack Helicopter” squadron of Mi 24s had played a critical role in the war. Denying Pakistani media reports that some of the missions against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) had been carried out by Pakistan Air Force pilots, he said, "There is absolutely no truth in this claim."
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May - 31 
The top aide to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Vijay Nambiar, was told more than a week ago that at least 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the Sri Lankan Government’s final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE
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The top aide to the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Vijay Nambiar, was told more than a week ago that at least 20,000 Tamil civilians were killed in the Sri Lankan Government’s final offensive against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in May, The Times reported on May 30. UN officials told Vijay Nambiar, Ban Ki Moon’s chief of staff, that their figures indicated a likely final death toll of more than 20,000, during a briefing in preparation for Ban’s visit to the region on May 23. Two staff present at the meeting confirmed the exchange to The Times but Ban never mentioned the death toll during his tour of the battleground, which he described as the “most appalling scene” he had witnessed in his long international career. The figure of 20,000 casualties was given to The Times by UN sources, who explained in detail how they arrived at that calculation.
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May - 31 
Troops of the 53rd Division conducting search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District on May 31 found one T-56 weapon, four DF monitoring sets, six radio direction finder, three IC-R 100 communication receivers, two
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Troops of the 53rd Division conducting search and clear operations in the Vellamullivaikkal area of Mullaitivu District on May 31 found one T-56 weapon, four DF monitoring sets, six radio direction finder, three IC-R 100 communication receivers, two Kenwood AT-50 automatic tuners, four hand-held radio sets, four AC adaptors, two antenna simulators, three serial data expanders, 10 wireless data units, nine power distribution units, 12 antenna switches, one display unit, seven circuit boards, eight spring bases ant mounts, two antenna parts, one charger, seven antennas, 47 cable reels of data connectors and power cords, reported Sri Lanka Army.
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May - 31 
Unable to retrieve the body of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) intelligence chief Pottu Amman from the war zone, the Sri Lankan Army is still investigating the possibility that he may be alive despite several claims to the contrary, PTI repor
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Unable to retrieve the body of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) intelligence chief Pottu Amman from the war zone, the Sri Lankan Army is still investigating the possibility that he may be alive despite several claims to the contrary, PTI reported on May 31. Amman was believed to have died along with most of the other leaders and an LTTE spokesperson had recently confirmed his death. The Army, however, did not find his body. ”Apart from the way the Tiger leader got killed, the military is also still investigating Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman's death as they could not find his body among top level Tiger leaders," Sunday Observer said. "Therefore, they have to believe in the information divulged by a Tiger cadre who surrendered, that Pottu Amman was killed before LTTE teams arrived in military controlled areas," it added. Former LTTE commander and now a Federal Minister Karuna Amman had recently said that the LTTE International Relations head S. Pathmanathan had confirmed, through a radio interview, that Pottu Amman had died during combat.
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*Data till , March 27, 2024
Source:Compiled from news reports and are provisional.
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