Killing / Abduction / Attempt to Murder Causing Injuries to EPDP Members by LTTE since Signing of Ceasefire Agreement on 23rd February 2002 until September 2004   

LTTE is dragging peace process: Lankan Tamil minister - Interview

Our Minister’s Budget Speech

Relief Items dispatched to Trincomalee and Amparai District

Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") for the Establishment of a Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure ("P-TOMS")

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Minister wants Norway to disarm Tigers

gulfnews.com, Thu 30th June. Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar has broadly hinted that Sri Lanka's peace facilitator Norway should hand over its role to some other country if it cannot ensure the rebel LTTE surrender its weapons and enter the political mainstream.

The not-so-veiled criticism of Norway by Kadirgamar, considered a hardliner in the peace process between his government and the minority Tamil rebels came in a tribute he paid President Chandrika Kumaratunga on her 60th birthday yesterday.

Writing in the state-run Daily News, Kadirgamar says the movement for democracy in certain districts of the North and East must begin to roll. "If the Government of Norway is unable to plead this cause with the conviction and determination that it deserves, it should stand aside and yield to other parties who could carry the flag of democracy into areas where darkness presently prevails". More...

Sri Lanka rebels warn truce in peril, issue ultimatum

AlertNet, Thu 30th June. Sri Lanka's Tamil Tigers warned on Thursday a three-year ceasefire that halted two decades of civil war could collapse unless the government vows to safeguard rebel cadres as they travel in the restive east.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whose war for self-rule killed over 64,000 people up until a 2002 truce, said they would start using their own armed escorts if the government does not address their concerns within two weeks.

The ultimatum comes just days after the government agreed to share $3.0 billion worth of tsunami aid with the rebels, a pact that donors hope could help jumpstart stalled talks aimed at securing long-elusive permanent peace. More...

Three soldiers killed in suspected rebel ambush in eastern Sri Lanka , military says.

Associated Press, Thu June 30, 2005. Suspected Tamil Tiger rebels ambushed a military vehicle in eastern Sri Lanka on Thursday, killing three soldiers from the army's intelligence unit, the defense ministry said.

Two suspected Tamil rebels on a motorbike fatally shot the driver, and then forced the motorized rickshaw to stop. One of the soldiers in the back seat shot back but the rebels sprayed them with bullets and killed both of them instantly, said an officer who spoke for the Military Media Unit.

Media unit members are not authorized to give their names.

A sergeant, a lance corporal and the soldier who was driving the vehicle were killed in the attack in Batticaloa, 230 kilometers (140 miles) east of Colombo, the officer said.

The government has accused the rebels of regularly killing military intelligence operatives and informants since the two sides agreed to a cease-fire in 2002. Lt. Col. Nizam Muthalif, a top intelligence officer, was shot dead in capital Colombo in May.

But the three soldiers killed Thursday would represent the worst attack against Sri Lankan troops in months.

Flash News 29.06.2005  

Gunshots over Navy camp at Trinco Thotupola – SLMM informed

The security forces have informed the SLMM that there gun shots were fired from the LTTE bases over the Navy camp at Thotupola in Trincomalee around 10.30 p.m. on 27.06.2005. They had charged the LTTE that they had used small artillery arms for this purpose.

The LTTE’s actions of this type is purposely done with the main interest of provoking the armed forces against the LTTE, opine political observers.

Youth shot down in Ninthavur, Amparai

A youth was shot down in Ninthavur, Amparai today morning around 8.30 a.m. by some unidentified gunmen. The victim is identified as Kannamuthu Araskumar (aged 36) of No. 426/A, 3^rd Cross Road, Vivekanandapuram, Kaluwanchikudi, Batticaloa.

This youth was engaged in selling LTTE newspaper, Eelanatham, when he was shot down. The body is kept at Kamunai hospital. Kalmunai police are probing the case.

Lets wait and see if the LTTE claims the body!

Police constable abducted by LTTE released yesterday

Police constable, Amal Prasanna was abducted by the LTTE on 8^th June 2005 while he was traveling by a commuter boat from Muthur to Kinniya. This constable was detained at the LTTE camp and produced before the LTTE courts and the courts ordered him to be remanded. Requests made by his wife and mother in person were turned down by the LTTE.

The police brought to the attention of the SLMM that the person was abducted by the LTTE in the purview of the Government controlled area and it should take immediate action to get him released.

The SLMM took strenuous action to have him released and as a result he was released and the LTTE handed him over to the police through SLMM at Kattaparichchan checkpoint yesterday.

This police constable was serving at Muthur police and he was moving on transfer to China Bay police with his belongings in the boat when he was abducted by the LTTE.

Solution for Muslim demand in the joint mechanism

President Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge met the Muslim ministers and deputy ministers and explained to them about Muslims’ position in the joint mechanism. She defined about the solution for the aspirations of the Muslims at this meeting.

The ministers and deputies proposed to the president some alternatives to this Joint Mechanism, as there are suspicions and fears prevailing among the Muslim community in the North and East.

The President listened with intent the suggestion and proposals made by the Muslim representatives and assured them that she will consider them very seriously and find ways to accommodate them in the mechanism.

The Muslim delegation included the Ministers, Rishard Badiudeen, Najeeb A. Majeed and Ameer Ali and Deputy Ministers Anver Ismail and Hussein Bhaila, headed by Minister and Leader of National Unity Alliance, Ferial Ashraff and the General Secretary of the Peoples’ Alliance and Minister Susil Premjayanth represented the Government.

In the meantime, Minister Ferial Ashraff and the Secretary of the NUA and Deputy Minister Segu Izadeen had met the President on separate occasions yesterday and the day before and discussed in detail about the Joint Mechanism.

Upcountry people support JM

People in the upcountry hail the bold action taken by the President to sign the joint mechanism accord, announced S. Sathasivam, the General Secretary of Ceylon workers’ United Front and former MP.

According to the communiqué released by him it is stated that the estate workers urge the joint mechanism to implement its task in order to find unity and prosperity in the country. They had held special Poojas at their temples in this regard for the success of the mechanism. They had also stressed that the estate workers must unite themselves and shun their differences and work together for their betterment, the communiqué said.

President is sixty today

Today (29-06-05) is the sixtieth birthday of the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Bandaranayake Kumaratunge. Several poojas and alms giving are being organized to mark her birthday. Special sermons at Bellanvila temple, Sumbuddhaloka temple and Sambodhi Vihara in Fort, Colombo and worships and Dua sermons at churches and mosques respectively were held today.

LTTE deputy director for planning announces that a good atmosphere has dawned to re-develop devastated areas

The deputy director of planning of the LTTE, Sanmugalingam Ranjan had announced that a good atmosphere has dawned to re-construct the Tsunamis devastated areas. He announced this at the workshop organized to receive aid from the Non-Governmental Organizations at the LTTE planning office of the LTTE in Kilinochchi.

He mentioned that there were several discussions held with regard to planning and this is a very cordial atmosphere to implement these plans. We may receive assistance from everywhere but it would not be used successfully if we do not have proper planning, he said.

America will extend its support for the betterment of Sri Lankans

America will devote itself for the permanent peace in Sri Lanka. America will extend its continuous support for the betterment of Sri Lanka citizens, said the US Ambassador, Geoffrey Lunstead. The Matarai office for the A.D.I project was opened yesterday by him to help the Tsunamis affected people in the area.

He further mentioned that a final and lasting solution for peace should be found by eliminating war in the country. Not only the people of North and East were affected but the people of the entire country are also affected. They will also be benefited by the A.D.I. All citizens must unite to bring a lasting solution for permanent peace in the country, he said.

Flash News 28.06.2005  

Hartal in full scale in Amparai

Muslims of Amparai District performed a hartal yesterday, 27.06.2005 in order to claim their rights, which were denied to them by the joint mechanism.

The Federation of Muslim organizations in the district organized this hartal.

Government offices, banks, schools and shops were closed and the public and private transport came to standstill in Akkaraipattu, Addalaichenai, Sammanthurai, Kalmunai, Maruthamunai, Sainthamaruthu, Pottuvil and other Muslim areas in Amparai District.

Main reasons given for this hartal were that the Muslims were totally ignored and never was considered effectively when signing the agreement of the joint mechanism which was formed to re-construct the Tsunami affected areas in the North and East and the inspirations of the Muslims were forgotten, is worthy to mention here.

Urging Muslim representatives to quit Government is meaningless

It will not provide a healthy result for the Tsunami affected Muslims by stressing the Muslims representatives in the Government to quit the Government when a best atmosphere merges to re-construct and rehabilitate the Tsunami affected Muslims, said Moulavi As-Sheik Abdul Nasser, the General Secretary of All Ceylon Jamiyathul Ulema, yesterday while expressing his views after the signing of the Post-Tsunami Operations Management Structure.

Work commences to dredge Batticoloa Lagoon

Works have commenced to clean and dredge the Batticoloa lagoon, which is contaminated by the Tsunami wastes and dead bodies and also to repair the Tsunami damaged areas. This three month project is being handled by the US Aid and it was inaugurated yesterday, 27.06.2005.

Timothy Ber Dotty, the Administrative Officer of the US Aid, Indra Kaushal Rajapakse, Director of Thabron Organization, V. Shanmugam, District Government Agent and Pon. Selvanayagam, Director of Provincial National Youth Service Council participated at the inauguration of the project.

Home guard kidnapped by the LTTE found dead

Sanath Nandasiru (aged 24), a home guard attached to Seruvila police was kidnapped by the LTTE while he was with his mother and wife collecting firewood in the forest. His dead body was found with cut injuries in the forest yesterday.

The police found the body and handed over to the relatives and the body was buried yesterday. This youth has been hacked to death by sharp items and the body was mutilated.

Although the abduction of this youth was informed earlier to the SLMM, it could not do anything about it.

LTTE cadres arrested by the Trincomalee navy released on bail

The Trincomalee District Judge released two LTTE cadres arrested by the navy in the high security zone at the Trincomalee harbour on bail yesterday.

Srivannan alias Ponnaiyah Nishanthan (aged 23) of Veerancholai, Kuchchvelli and Selvakumar Chitravel (aged 28) of Solaiyadi, Uppuveli were the persons released on bail.

They were arrested while they were abducting six children for LTTE camps and the children were saved and were handed over to their parents.

Joint Communiqué by TNA MPP

People must be alert and concerned over the persons or bodies who are trying to sabotage the Joint Mechanism, which was signed by the Government and the LTTE to provide redress and fulfill the aspirations of Tamils and Muslims affected by the Tsunamis in the Districts of Amparai, Batticaloa, Trincomalee Mullaitivu, Jaffna and Kilinochchi in the North and Eastern Provinces.

The TNA MPP for Amparai and Batticaloa Districts made the above appeal to the people in their joint communiqué.

Muslim representation in the joint mechanism is not denied in anyway. Muslims are assured of their representation in the Management Committee, Regional Committee and the District Committees.

The public must be aware and alert of these mischief-makers who make this joint mechanism as a trump card for the future elections, mentioned the communiqué.

Flash News 27.06.2005  

Regional high level committees for the Tsunami Relief Council

The Director of Government Peace Secretariat, Jayantha Dhanapala has said that the projects under the P-TOMS, signed between the government and the LTTE, would be implemented soon.

As per P-TOMS, the LTTE, the government and the Muslims will have to appoint their representatives for the High level and Regional Level committees.

The District level committee consists of government MPP and representatives of the government organizations. The High Level Committee would function based in Colombo said Jayantha Dhanapala.

LTTE extortion man shot in Batticaloa

The Batticaloa Police have informed that an LTTE cadre who was extorting money from the people in Batticaloa was shot and injured at the SriPathirakaali Amman Temple Junction on Vavikkarai Road in Batticaloa.

Thambirajah Maheswararajah (31), a resident of Chengalady and a father of two was injured and admitted to the emergency department of the Batticaloa Hospital.

Persons on a motorbike shot at him at while he was also traveling in a motorbike in the opposite direction. The persons who shot him had also taken away his motorbike. The Batticaloa Police is investigating the incident.

It is said that this LTTE cadre was an important person for extorting money from the bars and taverns in the area.  Three months ago he had locked up the bars and taverns that had not paid the extortion money and taken away the keys from the owners. He had also threatened the owners by asking them to come to Vanni to give an explanation.

Earlier, his intercooler vehicle was attacked with a hand grenade, as he was involved in shrimp business along with Keerthi, in charge of the Batticaloa LTTE intelligence wing.

Pottuvil LTTE office attacked

Unknown persons attacked the LTTE Komari political office on Pottuvil main Road in the Amaparai District on Sunday (26-06-05) evening around 4:30 pm.

Although there was no one present at the office during the attack, the LTTE in charge of that area had said that three people had entered the office and taken away important documents and destroyed the rest. Reports say even the doors; windows and office equipments were damaged during the attack.

26.06.2005 is the 20th death anniversary of the former Principal St. John’s College, Jaffna, Mr. C.E. Anandarajah.  He was the first intellectual to be killed by the LTTE. The old students of St. John’s College have put up posters in Jaffna commemorating his death.

LTTE shot soldier fails his struggle for life after a fortnight 
Monday 27th June. - A soldier seriously wounded in the recent LTTE attack on a vehicle of the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) at Chenjkalady town while providing security escort to an EPDP provincial leader, succumbed to his injuries late night on Saturday (25) at COLOMBO National Hospital.
Corporal B.H.M. Premathillake (37) of the 3rd Sri Lanka National Guards (3 SLNG), who fell victim to LTTE gunfire on 09 June 2005 around 10.15 a.m. while on escort duty remained placed on a life-support machine at the COLOMBO National Hospital after LTTE men fired at the vehicle killing one civilian and causing injuries to EPDP activist and the soldier in question.

Injured soldier was initially taken to the BATTICALOA Hospital but was airlifted to COLOMBO after his condition grew worse.

His funeral was to take place shortly with military honours.

Sri Lanka Security Forces Save LTTE Lives

Udara Soysa, Monday 27th June. A bus carrying LTTE cadres to Batticaloa came under a claymore mine attack by the suspected Karuna cadres on Sunday in Welikanda, according to sources from the east.

The vehicle consisted 24 male LTTE cadres ,15 LTTE female cadres and 2 civilians.

Army claims "the tight security provided by troops for this safe passage of LTTE, saved all lives of LTTE passengers unhurt despite a one female LTTE carder who had received a minor injury to her face with a shrapnel of the windscreen.

The vigilant troops who thwarted the surprise attack mounted against the LTTE rushed the injured LTTE carder to Welikanda hospital for treatment."

It is later reported that the bus proceeded to the LTTE area of Batticaloa in the evening with all passengers.

On last February, E Koushalyan, Political Head of the LTTE for East, former TNA Member of parliament for the Amparai district Mr.Ariyanayagam Chandra Nehru, three other LTTE cadres were ambushed by former LTTE cadres loyal to Karuna. The LTTE group however had not requested escort of Sri Lanka security forces at that occasion.

Sri Lanka: Child recruiting Tamil rebels happy to see new UNICEF chief

Monday 27th June. The new UNICEF chief received a warm welcome from the Tamil Tigers last week, unlike her predecessor who was banned from parts of Sri Lanka controlled by the rebel group for accusing them of continued child conscription.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam, who declared the former UN Children's Fund director Carol Bellamy a 'persona non grata', after she accused the rebel group of abducting children and training them as soldiers even after the ceasefire agreement of February 2002, welcomed her successor Ann Veneman with garlands.

"The United States, the biggest financial supporter of UNICEF, was long dissatisfied with the policies of UN and especially the liberal leanings of Ms Bellamy on reproductive health and sex education, and was pressuring the UN leadership to replace Ms Bellamy," the pro-Tiger TamilNet news service reported.

The LTTE recruited children as young as 10 years old and sent them to the front line during the civil war that raged in Sri Lanka for two decades.

Although the LTTE promised to disband the child brigade after the ceasefire, Bellamy claimed that the Tiger made little progress in rehabilitating them and continued to abduct children, even from government controlled areas especially in the east of the country.

Information collected by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) which maintains an extensive database devoted to child recruitment by the LTTE, and has documented approximately 3,600 cases of LTTE child recruitment from the time the ceasefire took effect in February 2002 through December 31, 2004.

The Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM), the international body led by the Norwegian government to monitor the ceasefire, also documents cases of child recruitment. Between February 1, 2002 and November 30, 2004, the SLMM received 1851 complaints of child recruitment by the LTTE.

It ruled 1490 of these complaints as violations of the ceasefire.

The LTTE came into widespread international condemnation after UNICEF reported that the rebels were forcible recruiting children orphaned by the tsunami.

As of January 26, UNICEF had registered over forty cases of child recruitment by the LTTE since the disaster occurred, including several cases of child recruitment from relief camps established for tsunami survivors.

Even while the new chief Veneman was conducting talks with the LTTE leadership in the rebel stronghold of Kilinochchi, the Sri Lanka army rescued three children after they were abducted by the female Tiger brigade.

Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU")

for the Establishment of a Post-Tsunami Operational Management Structure

 ("P-TOMS")

Preamble

WHEREAS the tsunami that struck Sri Lanka on December 26, 2004 (the "tsunami") destroyed human lives and property on an unprecedented scale;

WHEREAS there is an urgent need for all communities, Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and others, to cooperate on humanitarian grounds in the face of this common adversity;

WHEREAS the equitable allocation of post-tsunami funds to all parts of Sri Lanka struck by the tsunami will be based on accepted needs assessments; Full Report

Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation and Wayamba University of Sri Lanka jointly held a Book Launching Ceremony and the Release of Cashew Varieties at the BMIC on the 23^rd of June 2005. Hon. Minister K.N. Douglas Devananda was the chief guest at the function.

Nainatheevu Nakapooshani Amman Temple Chariot festival

Jaffna District Housing Project Initiated

EPDP’s Memorandum on the Proposed Joint Mechanism

The population affected by the tsunami is desperately in need of relief. The affected people are not only in need of regular food rations but also permanent roofs over their heads. It is more than four months past the day of the tsunami and the government has not been able to alleviate the suffering of the affected people due to obstacles placed before it by the LTTE. Only a mechanism that could overcome the various obstacles would ensure success. The mechanism should also be politically guided. The humanitarian needs of the affected population cannot be met without such a mechanism. Full...

Agreement to build houses for Tsunami affected people assigned

An agreement to build houses for people affected by the Tsunamis devastation on 26^th December 2004, was signed among the Ministries of (a) Agricultural Marketing Development, Co-operative Development, Hindu Affairs and Ministry Assisting Educational and Vocational Training (b) Urban Development and Water Supplies and (c) Housing and Construction, was signed yesterday, 03.05.2005 at the Ministry of Urban Development and Water Supplies.

Ministers, Douglas Devananda, Dinesh Gunawardena and Ferial Ashraff and secretaries and officials of the above ministries attended the function. It should be commented that it was agreed to build more than 1000 houses at the cost of Rs.4 lakhs. 

More Pictures...

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