Archive for November 12th, 2008

ITN Sinhala NEWS 2008 - 11- 12

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (21.0MB)

Courtesy : Independent Television Network Ltd

Il poya falls today

Il poya, which is very important to the Buddhists falls today (12).

Realization of Maithri bodisathva , First Buddhist dhamma sangayana (council), the first group of disciples of dhamma in propagation of dhamma, the visit of lord Buddha to Uruwel are commemorated on il poyaday.

Courtesy: Lankapuvath

Wanni Liberation speeds up; Terror chief to avenge Wanni civilians for his own demise

Sri Lankan Armed Forces are getting closer to their ultimate mission with increasing pace and vigor despite cynicism raised over their achievements by certain defense observers and political segments. Troops with the shared vision to rid the country of terrorism , have come to a decisive phase of their effort during last few days after outwitting the terrorists in each and every maneuver that they made at the battlefield.

Meanwhile, defense intelligence sources have found out that V. Prabhakarn, the psychopathic chief of the LTTE terrorists has ordered his followers to prepare for a counter offensive using civilians as a shield.

Devils point becomes unattainable for the terrorist

Army Task Force 1 spearheading at the West of the Kilinochchi frontage is just few miles behind Pooneryn, the final destination it has to reach to accomplish the immediate mission of the Force. The Task Force 1 was raised to dominate the Northwestern coast of the Island that stretches from Mannar to Pooneryn early this year. Thereby, the Force has to deny the terrorist use of sea lines of communication across the Palk Strait. Also, opening of a land route to Jaffna peninsula is the other important objective the Force has to achieve in its mission.

On Tuesday (Nov 11) troops reached Pallavi and Kiranchi hamlets sealing off the strategically vital Devils Point completely. The 15 km long land projection to the Indian Ocean - The Devils point has been a safe heaven for the Sea Tiger activities since the beginning of the LTTE. At present troops, are engaged in mop up operations towards the coast.

Troops negotiate great marshes South of Pooneryn

Meanwhile, Task Force 1 troops heading for Pooneryn along the A-32 road (Mannar- Pooneryn) are now successfully negotiating the large marshlands in the South of Pooneryn. The infantrymen of 12, 9 and 6 Gamunu Watch moved further Northwards across the marsh yesterday (Nov 11) and attacked LTTE positions causing heavy damages to the terrorists .

According to the battlefield reports troops have found 5 LTTE bodies along with 10 T-56 riffles after daylong clashes in Mulaikoduttavil and Pallai areas . At present , the shortest distance to the Nallur on the Pooneryn- Paranthan (B-69) road to the Task Force 1 forward boundary is just 4.5 Km.

Defense observers say that once the Task Force 1 cutoff the B-69 at Nallur and push its western flank further towards Devil’s Point, the remaining terrorists in the Pooneryn, Alenken , Vallaipadu and Veravi have no other option than to surrender or to meet elite Rapid Action Boats squadron (RABS) of Navy at sea. No land escape routes are available for the terrorists in these areas with the Army’s advance , they add.

Terrorists on the run in Kilinochchi

The 57 division troops operating on the eastern frontage of the Kilinochchi battlefront, are continuing to move towards Kilinochchi built up, the administrative hub of the terrorists. According to the ground information, the terrorists have already given up their interests in Kilinochchi and fast withdrawing towards the Vaddakachchi, Puthukudiyiruppu areas and into the Iranamadhu jungle.

Troops of 572 brigade have confronted with groups of terrorists in the Thirumurukandi area on Tuesday (Nov 11) and found 4 bodies of LTTE cadres along with 4 T-56 riffles and one radio communication set.

Terrain Changes for the Mullaittivu front

Meanwhile, Army 59 division soldiers who have been marching across the Mullaittivu jungle have entered into a different terrain after crossing over the northern boundaries of the Andankualm forest reserve.

Troops of 593 brigade reached Kumulamunai-Thannipurippukulam road that marks the northern edge of the Andankualam forest reserve on Tuesday afternoon (Nov 11) and liberated a western part of the Kumulamunai town. According to the battlefield reports, Infantrymen of 15 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (15 SLLI) destroyed 6 LTTE bunkers, while their comrades of 7 Gamunu Watch (7 GW) captured 6 LTTE bunkers. Also, infantrymen of 11 Gamunu Watch (11 GW) entered into the western part of the Kumulamunai built up and captured 15 LTTE bunkers. Both radio monitoring reports and ground sources confirmed heavy damages to the terrorists. Kumulamunai is situated just 13 Km south of LTTE’s last bastion in Mullaittiuvu and 4.5 Km west of Alampil Sea Tiger stronghold.

Meanwhile, troops of 592 brigade heading westwards on the Mullaittivu front has reached the outskirts of Ottiyamalai, situated just 5 Km east of Nadunkerni town. According to the battlefield reports , troops of 12 SLLI, 14 and 15 Gajaba Regiment (GR) have confronted with the terrorists in areas within 2-4 Km range towards east of Ottiyamalai built up on Tuesday (Nov 11).

Betrayal of Tamils

According to the recent intelligence reports, all key terror leaders, including Bhanu, Theepan and Luxman had abandoned their positions on the main battlefronts and fled into the rear areas. Reports have further revealed that a large umber of LTTE cadres under the leadership of Theepan, are currently undergoing training for a counter attack in the LTTE hiding areas in Mullaittivu.

As per the information provided by surrendered LTTE cadres and civilians escaped to liberated areas, LTTE leader has ordered the armed cadres to launch the planned offensive while forcing large number of civilians to the front with them. The intention of the terror chief is to get large number of Tamil civilians killed during the attack and to win international sympathy over their dead bodies, they further revealed. Also, the psychopathic terror chief has called his latest order an ideal punishment for the Tamils who failed to support his cause, they added.

According to the senior defense officials, the security forces have already taken measures to prevent any situation that would cause civilian casualties. They said that the LTTE has lost all their civilian supporters in Wanni and therefore it will soon lose its ability to hold the civilians as a shield. However, they refrained from making further comments over this issue due to operational security reasons.

Apart from the main battlefronts, Army Task Force 3 is gaining domination over A-9 road from Panikkankulam to Mankulam and towards the East of the road. The Task Force 2 are destroying LTTE hiding areas in the Pulliyankulam and Omanthai areas while the 56 division still maintains the active defense in the east of Omanthai.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Opening hours of Omanthai check point reduced

The hours during which the entry/exit check point at the Omanthai check point are kept open on the A-9 road have been shortened. The check point is kept open from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Earlier it remained open from 9 am to 4 pm.

Courtesy: Dailymirror

TN resolution passes asking for SL ceasefire

The Tamil Nadu assembly today passed a unanimous resolution asking the central government to press for negotiations between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE.

Courtesy: Dailymirror