Sri Lanka News Updates with Discussions

I am not saying all conditions are 1oo% similar to that.so far army has captured coastal areas mostly.

What is not said is the imposition and maintenance of Unitary State. Unitary State is the biggest stumbling bloc to the 'unity of the state' and what is not learned by the elitist rulers is that Unitary State has been destroying the country.

Military defeat of LTTE pre-condition for peace - Archbishop Oswald Gomis

Archbishop Oswald Gomis expressing his views to Vatican Radio pointed out that the opportunities for dialogue with the LTTE is basically nonexistent as the war has reached a decisive stage and added that fighting will likely prove to be the only way to end the conflict.

He said, 'There are certain people who feel that this may be the only way to a solution though there are those who still advocate peace talks.

'I mean the ideal would be if they could come to terms, and the government has certainly said they are prepared to have talks provided the rebels give up their arms however the Tamil Tigers have said they will not give up their arms -- so it's a stalemate there.'

However, he noted that an important distinction must be made between the insurgents who are fighting and the Tamil population as a whole, which he says are two separate peoples. 'They say that the fighters are one particular terrorist group and not all the Tamils, so even the Tamils are held ransom by these people.

''So first of all you must crush them if you want to have a peaceful solution,' that's what most of the people are thinking and that has become a common opinion, not that we share it.'

Archbishop Gomis expressed his resignation that a truly peaceful solution may no longer be possible, and that all anyone can basically do at this point is sit, watch and wait.

Meanwhile the international media organizations closely monitoring the current development of the island are of the view that the unilateral ceasefire declared by the LTTE is only a result of the string of victories gained by the Government troops causing severe setbacks to the terrorists outfit.

Heavy fighting between government and LTTE has intensified in recent days along the frontlines in the north with the security forces stepping up ground assaults and air strikes.

Courtesy : Government Information Department

Basil Fernando's poem written after the 1983 pogrom - a few lines remembered. Basil is one of these fine people born into Sinhalese community and worked to maintain peace and still work as the Director of Hong Kong based Charity.

Vavunikulam Tank bund falls to Army: 25 LTTE killed, scores injured- Mullaittivu
57 Division troops operating at the combined Mannar - Vavuniya front advanced from its newly established positions at Pandiyankulama and forced further into non-liberated area, 3 km Southeast of Mallavi and have reportedly captured the Vavunikulam Tank bund, in Mullaittivu District today (July 24), at around 10 a.m.

According to initial reports received 57 division troops led by Major General Jagath Dias, flanked the western edge of the Vavunikulam tank and also have captured approximately 10 sq.kms of land area during the advances. Citing intercepted LTTE communication military said that, at least 25 terrorists were killed and scores injured in the clashes.

Fighting ensued between troops and LTTE since this morning as security forces pounded identified LTTE positions with heavy artillery and mortar fire enabling infantry troops and special forces to intensify assaults at the LTTE. Troops have also recovered 7 LTTE bodies, 5 x T-56 assault riffles, 01 x 120 mm heavy mortar gun, 02 x 81 mm mortar guns and few other warlike items including over 100 x mortar rounds during initial search operation conducted in the area.

Also, troops have found a tractor, 2 x motor bikes, 4 x I-com sets and a binocular in the search operations, our Wanni correspondent said adding that ground troops have also observed scattered bodies of terrorists killed, lying ahead of the established defences.

Troops are now engaged in search and clearing operations while consolidating defences in the area, sources further said.

More information will follow.

We have weakened the LTTE by 50 per cent or more and we are confident we can go that extra mile in the coming year', he said.

At the end of the year, LTTE will be completely restricted to East of A9 (Kandy-Jaffna road) and then will start small group operations.

So-called strategists in LNP are forgetting the 8,000+ diehard Tiger Battalion ready to zoom in to Vanni from TN, any time.

http://www.topnews.in/tamil-nadu-police-busts-ltte-procurement-network-254439

Tamil Nadu police busts LTTE procurement network
Posted July 24th, 2008 by Mohit JoshiChennai Tamil Nadu Chennai, July 24 : The Q Branch of the Tamil Nadu police busted a major Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) procurement network when it arrested three persons, including a Sri Lankan from Manalmelkudi in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu.

The three arrested persons were Kumargurubaran (28) a resident of Chennai, Ramesh (37) hailing from Ramanathapuram, and Manamohan (28) from Pesalai, Sri Lanka.

According to the police, Manamohan was the key player in this procurement network, coordinating the operation.

'He (Manmohan) arranged for the payment and coordinated the procurement. The seized motors are worth around Rs. 7 lakhs in the market,' a police official said and added that Ramesh has a history of cases against him relating to smuggling goods to Sri Lanka.

Five imported Yamaha outboard motors, each with a 40-horse-power capacity were seized from the trio. The motors were meant to be transported to Sri Lanka for the LTTE.

These outboard motors are used to convert conventional boats into high-speed boats. The Sea Tigers use them in their strike boats.

The law enforcement agencies have increased their vigil in Tamil Nadu to check smuggling of goods to the LTTE.

The LTTE has been procuring explosives, detonators, resin, boat parts, chopped coir mats for building boats, chemicals, clothes, adhesives, walkie-talkies, Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and mobile SIM cards from India. (ANI)