Archive for September 2nd, 2008

A documentary Film on SRI LANKA

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LTTE’s strategic bastion Mallavi falls to security forces:

ces:

Remaining LTTE terrorists were beaten off and Mallavi town was liberated by the advancing troops today   (Sep 2), according to latest military reports received.

The troops of the 57 Division led by Major General Jagath Dias triumphed overrunning the LTTE’s most important strategic bastion at Mallavi, located along the Vellankulama- Mankulama main road following weeks long heavy confrontation, security sources said.

The military advances towards Mallavi came under heavy resistance from the LTTE as the outfit was engaged in a desperate attempt to save its strategic hub.

Earlier, on 22nd August troops took control over Thunkkaki and Uyiliankulama towns in the eastern Mullaittivu battlefront.

The Army Chief, Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka during a visit made to Wanni this morning, appraised the valiant troops for their latest achievements including the seizure of Mallavi and Palamoddai general areas.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

The National Trust links with Sri Lanka Tourism

The National Trust Sri Lanka, which operates as a national body, for protecting and safeguarding the tangible and intangible heritage of Sri Lanka, including: sites, monuments, sculptures, paintings, artifacts, music, dance, and the fauna and flora, has linked with Sri Lanka Tourism, in a joint bid at conservation.

Sri Lanka Tourism is in continuous pursuit, to safeguard and showcase to the world, the unique culture of our island nation and its rich bio diversity. This collaborative effort with the National Trust is in furtherance of an on going effort to preserve what is unique and of timeless and priceless value in Sri Lankan heritage.

Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism, Renton de Alwis, commenting on the importance of safeguarding the heritage said, “We appreciate the activities of the Trust directed towards monuments and sectors that are not already protected or safeguarded through official efforts, because there are several such sites of great value that also needs to be preserved and Sri Lanka Tourism is delighted to be associated with the National Trust in their efforts.”

The National Trust was founded on May 27th 2005 and is a not for gain association, and is shortly to be incorporated as a trust in terms of Section 114 of the Trust Ordinance.
The Trust was established, following the model of The National Trust in the United Kingdom, (established in the year 1895). More than forty (40) other countries in the world have established similar entities. The National Trust of each country renders a vitally important service in their home country by protecting and safeguarding the heritage of the respective country and is linked with the international organization named The International- National Trust Organization.

By Christine Hettiarachchi

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

“Safe corridor” introduced for fleeing civilians

(Colombo Lankapuvath September 02) The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken swift measures to establish a “Safe Corridor” so that civilians trapped in uncleared areas can escape to safe ground.

Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe while welcoming the move of the MoD said that the overriding interest of the Government was to ensure the safety and security of conflict-affected civilians who were being invited to seek the protection of the security forces in cleared areas in Vavuniya.

“The Government of Sri Lanka has decided to further develop Vavunia as a storage and logistic hum for humanitarian assistance including food and non-food items.  The ongoing efforts of the Government in this connection are been complemented by international partners who have also commenced stockpiling food and humanitarian supplies for civilians escaping from or displaced by the armed conflict,” the Ministry of Human Rights said in a statement issued yesterday (02).

Minister Samarasinghe also added that work has commenced on the upgrading of a garment factory in close proximity to the current Vavuniya logistic hub for both inter-agency storage and office facilities. Civilians who escape to Vavuniya will thus be able to access the full gamut of humanitarian assistance that the Government, supplemented by its international partners, is providing.

He said that the Government was appreciative of the efforts of the UN agencies, International and local non-government organizations in supplementing the Government’s initiative in caring for conflict affected communities in the entirety of the North, especially those persons displaced by the conflict.

The Minister called on all relevant parties to ensure that civilians are allowed to use the safe humanitarian corridor and assist them to travel to secure areas without any hindrance.

Minister Samarasinghe said that he would ensure all necessary facilitation and coordination among the Government, the donor community, UN and other international agencies and organizations, in the provision of humanitarian assistance and relief to civilians in the North through the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance (CCHA). (NLK)

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

Troops reaching another victory; three-fourth of Mallavi captured

Reaching to another decisive milestone, troops of the 57 Division, engaged in a noble mission to liberate the Wanni civilians from LTTE clutches have brought control over more than three-fourth of the LTTE’s nerve center, Mallavi, about 3.5 km East of Tunukkai by last evening, 1 September.

The Mallavi town, said to be the native place of the terror leader Prabhakaran’s wife, Madivadini, has about a 1 km long main street with boutiques and shops on both sides of the town center, Army sources said. A few more adjoining vulnerable areas located in the Mallavi town are yet to be cleared, the sources added.

Mallavi town center, which has functioned as a big commercial hub on the Mullaittivu district border, has remained a fully-fledged township with two Rural Banks, branches of Bank of Ceylon and People’s Bank, Ceramic Factory, a large Bakery, Water and Electricity Board buildings, Sub Post Office and more than 40 business centers, army sources added. An LTTE’s administrative office established in Mallavi town was also found.

The LTTE’s main supply routes, Vellankulam - Mankulam, Mallavi - Kokkavil, Mallavi - Nachchikuda and several link roads are also running across this central town.

Hundreds of valiant soldiers under the able military leadership are now stepping further towards adjoining boundaries of Mallavi town to capture remaining vulnerable areas located in the Mallavi town.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence