Archive for September 7th, 2008

Selected schools get 40m to expand libraries

Thirty one selected schools are to receive a total of Rs. 40 million to purchase books for their libraries under the Secondary Education Modernisation Project, according to the Ministry of Education.

The respective schools will receive these funds at a special ceremony presided over by the Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha, at the Examinations Department auditorium on September 9, ministry sources said.

Courtesy: Government Information Department

Pastor nabbed attempting to smuggle communications equipment

Customs officials stationed at the Bandaranaike International Ariprot arrested a Christian Pastor while attempting to smuggle more than 30 pieces of communication equipment and other items yesterday (06).

According to the Airport officials, the pastor was arrested on precise intelligence information received that he had brought 40 Gamin type GPSs with catalogues and 30 other I-com equipment with antennas and accessories inside two speakers.

The equipment was neatly stuffed inside the speakers, customs officials said, adding that the LTTE may be behind this, as the organisation is well known in manipulating ‘humanitarian’ faces to defy the world.

Courtesy, Daily News

LTTE gathering point hit in air strikes- Kilinochchi

Sri Lankan Air Force fighter jets continued pounding multiple LTTE targets with precision, as latest reports received confirmed another air strike at a terrorist gathering position, East of Nachchikudha, Kilinochchi, Sunday (Sep 7) at 2.10p.m.

The air strikes were made in support of the advancing 58 Division troops, operating in the Western Wanni battlefront, Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said.

Moe information will follow.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

De-mining under way - civilians to be resettled in Jaffna HSZ

The de-mining process is currently in progress in the areas that have been identified to re-settle civilians within the High Security Zone (HSZ) in the Valikamam north region in the Jaffna Peninsula, said a spokesperson for the special committee dealing with the grievances of residents who were evacuated from the High Security Zone in 1987.

The High Security Zone in Valikamam north is the largest and highly sensitive region covering vital military installations such as the Palaly army base, air field and naval bases in the Kankesanthurai and Myliddy areas.

The Valikamam north High Security Zone came into existence following the military operations which were intensified by Security Forces against the LTTE in 1987. The High Security Zone is in Valikamam.

However, following two fundamental rights applications that were filed in 2003 and 2004 in the Supreme Court, a five-member special committee was set up on the directive of Chief Justice Sarath N. Silva on June 23, 2008 under the chairmanship of High Court Judge, Jaffna, R. T. Vicknarajah.

The committee comprising the Government Agent, Jaffna K. Ganesh, Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General G. A. Chandrasri, Rear Admiral T. S. G. Samarasinghe and the Deputy Inspector General of Police W. F. U. Fernando have decided to send a report on the re-settlement process to the Supreme Court at its third meeting on Friday.

The special committee which held three meetings so far had received 3,419 applications from civilians to be re-settled in the High Security Zone area and the applications are being scrutinised by the Government Agent, Jaffna.

Six hundred families have been already resettled in the border areas of the High Security Zone. Twenty-four families will be resettled within the High Security Zone following the removal of mines by the army engineers in the areas that have been allowed for re-settlement.

The spokesperson for the special committee headed by the Jaffna High Court Judge said that the military was very cooperative in expediting the resettlement process and the committee was looking forward to complete its task as early as possible.

The spokesperson also added that the government would provide compensation to civilians to undertake reconstruction work depending on the damage to their buildings and lands.

Donor countries have also agreed to help the government on the re-settlement process, the spokesperson said.

Courtesy: Sunday Observer

SLAF raids sea tiger camp in Pooneryn

The SLAF MI-24 helicopter gunships launched extensive air assaults at a pre-identified sea tiger camp located at Kavitharamunai, in Pooneryn, West of Kilinochchi, Sunday (Sep 7) at around 4.14 a.m.

Air Force Spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said, the air assault was launched on accurate information received from the Jaffna military sources.

Severe damages are expected following the raid at the sea tiger facility which was code-named ‘Kadal’ by the outfit, military said. The facility has been used by the LTTE for training and co-ordination of terrorist activities and as a launch pad for LTTE infiltration groups into the peninsula, the sources further said.

Military radio observation reports confirm total-silence in the enemy circuits following the raid, the sources said adding that intense LTTE activity was reported in the Pooneryn coast since early this morning.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence