Hunger strike over missing youth

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 November 1999, 19:13 GMT]
The Missing Persons Guardian Association (MPGA) will launch a hunger strike as scheduled on December 5, if a favourable reply is not received from the Sri Lankan President on or before Saturday with regards to their appeal.
Full story >>

Government commitment to fair polls sought

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 November 1999, 14:18 GMT]
The leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe has asked President Chandrika Kumaratunge to take positive actions to implement her assurances of a free and fair presidential election on December 21.
Full story >>

Opposition seeks letters to LTTE

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 November 1999, 13:18 GMT]
The leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremesinghe, addressing an election rally yesterday, urged the President Chandrika Kumaratunge to reveal details of government's correspondence with the Liberation Tigers.
Full story >>

Shell kills one

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 November 1999, 13:16 GMT]
A 30 year old woman was killed yesterday when a shell fired from the Thallady Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp hit Parappukkadanthan around 2.30 p.m. said residents.
Full story >>

Day of mourning to remember Madhu victims

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 30 November 1999, 04:53 GMT]
The All Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) has appealed to all students, teachers and principals in the north-east province to observe December 1st (Wednesday) as a day of mourning, in rememberance of those innocent civilians killed in the recent attack on the Madhu church.
Full story >>

Colombo UNP office damaged

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 November 1999, 05:04 GMT]
The Headquarters of the United National Party, Sri Kotha, at Jayawardhenepura, Colombo was attacked around 2 a.m. this morning by unidentified men in a white van, UNP sources said.
Full story >>

TULF MP urges Government to accept talk offer

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 November 1999, 04:50 GMT]
The Parliamentary group leader of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), Mr Joseph Pararajasingam, has appealed to the Sri Lankan government to accept the invitation of the Leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Mr.Velupillai Pirapaharan and to initiate talks immediately with him through third party mediation, without putting forward any pre-conditions.
Full story >>

Jaffna Catholics appeal to UN, Pope

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 November 1999, 04:49 GMT]
The Catholics of the Diocese of Jaffna have appealed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and His Holiness, Pope John Paul 11, to persuade the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation of Tigers of Tamil Eelam to call off the war with immediate effect and commence negotiations.
Full story >>

Two killed in SLA shelling

[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 November 1999, 12:51 GMT]
Two civilians were killed and another wounded when a shell fired by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers at Thallady base hit Karukkaikulam, north of Uiylankulam yesterday morning around 6 a.m. said sources.
Full story >>

Call for inquiry into Madhu attack

[TamilNet, Sunday, 28 November 1999, 12:44 GMT]
The Peoples' Council for Peace and Goodwill in Jaffna has appealed to the Sri Lankan President to order an impartial inquiry into the artillery attack on Madhu church. They have requested her to publish the findings of a commission of inquiry into the attack that killed 42 innocent civilians within a limited time.
Full story >>

Anton Balasingham addresses London Heroes Day

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 November 1999, 19:12 GMT]
Anton Balasingham, the Liberation Tigers political advisor, addressed the Heroes Day function in London Saturday, his first public appearance since his arrival in the United Kingdom earlier this year. In a spirited and humorous hour long speech, Balasingham emphasised the need for mediation to settle the conflict in Sri Lanka and spoke of the developed strength of the LTTE.
Full story >>

“Sri Lanka must end oppression for peace” - LTTE

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 November 1999, 13:19 GMT]
Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in his annual Heroes’ Day message, called upon the Sri Lanka government to “de-escalate the armed conflict by ending military aggression and occupation of the Tamil homeland and initiate peace talks under conditions of normalcy for a negotiated political settlement of the Tamil conflict”.
Full story >>

Teenager shot dead

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 November 1999, 12:45 GMT]
A 17 year old school boy, Ramachndran Suman, was shot dead by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers at Puththur junction in Meesalai in the Thenmaradchi divisionof the Jaffna peninsula on Tuesday, 23 November, said sources.
Full story >>

Tigers release POWs

[TamilNet, Saturday, 27 November 1999, 08:13 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers released this morning seven Sri Lankan army soldiers who had surrendered to them during military offensives in the north earlier this month.
Full story >>

Soldiers' release tomorrow

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 18:59 GMT]
Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the 7 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers in the custody of the Liberation Tigers this evening in the Vanni, the spokesman of the ICRC Harasha Gunawardene said.
Full story >>

MIRJE files rights case

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 18:58 GMT]
A fundamental rights application seeking a declaration that Sri Lanka's Emergency Regulations relating to the censorship of war-related news is contrary to the constitution was filed in the Supreme court today.
Full story >>

Magistrate slams police inaction

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 18:57 GMT]
The Jaffna Magistrate today instructed the court sergeant to submit a detailed report on December 12, regarding the human skeletons recovered from the Duraiappah Stadium, legal sources said.
Full story >>

Missing 'cannot be traced'

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 18:55 GMT]
Letters of regret from Defense Ministry officials have been sent to 355 parents and relatives of persons who disappeared in the Jaffna district after the Sri Lanka Army (SLA)'s operation to capture the northern peninsula in 1995, human rights sources said.
Full story >>

Opposition to appointment of acting elections Commissioner

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 07:28 GMT]
Two applications, seeking an order to quash the appointment of the acting Commissioner of Elections by the President are to be heard by the Court of Appeal on 2 December.
Full story >>

Tigers to release seven POWs

[TamilNet, Friday, 26 November 1999, 05:54 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers announced in the Vanni today that they will release seven Sri Lankan army soldiers who had surrendered to them during military offensives in the north. The release of the SLA prisoners of war, according to the LTTE, is a gesture of good will. The soldiers will be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) tomorrow on Great Heroes' day to enable their safe return home the Tigers said.
Full story >>

Tamil editors questioned over Madhu

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 22:19 GMT]
The chief editor, Mr.A.Sivanesachelvan, and sub editor, Mr.T.Sivaganeshan, of the widely circulated Tamil language daily, 'Thinakkural', who were taken in for interrogation by officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Colombo were released around 10 p.m. this evening after nearly 5 hours of questioning, said sources.
Full story >>

Mannar civilians move to safe areas

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 19:58 GMT]
Thousands of residents of Vankalai have moved to Mannar town and Pesalai throughout today said sources. Sri Lankan government officials in Mannar said 7000 people have moved there from Vankalai on the mainland and around 2500 of these have sought refuge at the St. Sebastian church on the island.
Full story >>

UNP leader sues over 'defamation'

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 18:05 GMT]
The leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) and its Presidential candidate, Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, has sent a letter of demand to the Chairman of the Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd., through his lawyers, warning of legal action against the Chairman for defaming him by publishing a press statement of President Chandrika Kumaratunge, unless the Chairman forthwith retracts the false allegation and apologizes to him.
Full story >>

Two skulls in shallow grave

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 13:58 GMT]
Two human skulls were recovered from a pit in a compound behind the Kopay Christian College in Jaffna this morning sources said.
Full story >>

Police interrogate Tamil daily editor

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 09:18 GMT]
The editor of the widely circulated Tamil daily published in Colombo, A.Sivanesachelvan, has been summoned for an interrogation at the Head Quarters of the Criminal Investigation Department around 2 p.m. this afternoon said sources.
Full story >>

Tigers say Thallady forward defence overrun

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 November 1999, 07:04 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said this afternoon they captured a key forward defence locality of the strategic Thallady base on the island's northwestern coast. The defences of the Sri Lankan army (SLA) in Seththukkulam were overrun by the fighting units of the Tigers which have been advancing towards the Thallady base and the Mannar- Vavuniya highway in the latest phase of Operation Unceasing Waves III, according to a special news update by the Voice of Tigers this noon.
Full story >>

Amnesty call over civilian deaths

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 November 1999, 21:44 GMT]
Amnesty International, the London based human rights group, said it was "gravely concerned about the killing of 37 civilians in Madhu church last Saturday, and urged the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers to "to take all necessary measures to prevent civilian casualties".
Full story >>

SLA activity in Mannar

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 23 November 1999, 09:46 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops began pouring in large numbers into Mannar town today residents said. The town, on Mannar island, remains tense according to them. The Voice of Tigers (VoT) said in its special broadcasts today that heavy fighting continued in the Manthai area as the LTTE's fighting units pressed on with their offensive.
Full story >>

Tigers step up attack on Thallady

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 23:17 GMT]
The Voice of Tigers (VOT) said in its night news broadcast today that the Sri Lankan Army's strategic base at Thallady has come under intense attack from new fighting units of the Liberation Tigers that have been sent to the theatre of operations in Mannar. The radio said that sections of the base, including the 21-2 brigade HQ, are burning.
Full story >>

Relatives of missing to go on hunger strike

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 23:16 GMT]
The parents and relatives of the hundreds Jaffna civilians who were reported 'missing' after being arrested by the SLA have decided to go on hunger strike from 5 December, human rights sources in the northern town said.
Full story >>

Six arrested in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 17:35 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers arrested two young women from the Gurunagar transit camp in Jaffna on 18 November said sources.
Full story >>

Madhu inquest held

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 13:09 GMT]
"I found my four children dead when I recovered from the shock caused by the shell explosion" said Chandramohan Suhandini in her evidence at the inquest into the death of 37 refugees, including 13 children at the Madhu Church on Saturday Nov.20. The inquest was held this morning before Mannar district judge Manickavasagar Ilancheliyan at his official residence.
Full story >>

Tigers push further in Mannar

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 05:24 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers brought more villages under their control as their troops continued operations in the large sector west of Madhu and north of the Vavuniya Mannar highway in the district of Mannar yesterday sources in Vavuniya said this morning. The sources said that the fighting units of the LTTE are moving closer to the Thallady SLA base from the areas captured in the latest phase of the offensive in Mannar.
Full story >>

Madhu victims’ bodies recovered

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 00:28 GMT]
The bodies of 37 civilians who were killed at the Madhu Church Saturday night were brought to the Mannar hospital Sunday evening around 6 p.m., said sources. The Mannar Magistrate, Mr.Ilancheliyan, inspected the bodies at the hospital, they said.
Full story >>

AG clears student release

[TamilNet, Monday, 22 November 1999, 00:25 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Attorney General says that he has no objection to the release of the Jaffna universiy student Selvanayagam Suganthan, now in remand on the orders of Jaffna Magistrate, court sources said Sunday.
Full story >>

“Human shields” at Madhu

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 November 1999, 13:14 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers Sunday denied Sri Lanka Army (SLA) accusations that they had killed scores of Tamil civilians by shelling the revered Catholic shrine at Madhu. The LTTE said SLA troops had shelled the church and used refugees sheltering there as human shields. The Tigers called on international NGOs to prevail upon the Sri Lankan military and halt this practice.
Full story >>

Wounded Madhu refugees allege SLA fired

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 November 1999, 10:44 GMT]
Wounded refugees who were brought to the Vavuniya hospital speaking on condition of anonymity said this morning that an armoured column of the SLA, retreating from a fierce counter attack by the Liberation Tigers had opened fire on the Madhu shrine where they had been huddled together last night around 10 p.m. killing and wounding scores.
Full story >>

Fighting near Mannar town

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 November 1999, 09:18 GMT]
Heavy fighting erupted in the coast of Mannar town between units of the Sea Tigers and the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) around 12.10 this noon. Black smoke was seen in the Pallimunai sea said residents.
Full story >>

37 killed at Madhu church

[TamilNet, Sunday, 21 November 1999, 09:14 GMT]
Thirty seven civilians were killed and sixty four wounded when shells hit Madhu church amidst fighting between Sri Lankan Army units that had taken up positions in the environs of the Madhu shrine and the Liberation Tigers.
Full story >>

Rush to establish Interim Council

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 16:43 GMT]
The Sri Lankan government asked parties which have representatives from the North-eastern province in Parliament to send in their list of nominees for an Interim Council. The letter requesting parties to propose 3-5 persons each for membership in the council, before November 25 has been sent out by the Ministry of Provincial Councils.
Full story >>

Tigers push south in Mannar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 09:06 GMT]
A special broadcast of the Voice of Tigers (VOT) said this afternoon that Liberation Tigers captured Paappamoddai north of Mannar and are advancing south towards Thiruketheesawaram. About hundred villages in the region have come under control during the offensive the radio said.
Full story >>

Thallady SLA camp said under attack

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 08:49 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have launched a massive artillery and mortar attack on the Thallady Sri Lanka Army camp from 1.45 p.m. this afternoon said sources.
Full story >>

Armoured units spearheading advance - VOT

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 04:18 GMT]
The Voice of Tigers (VOT) said in its news broadcast this morning that the special forces of the Liberation Tigers continued their advance towards Mannar and Vavuniya. The radio said that the armoured and artillery units of the LTTE's special forces are spearheading the advance.
Full story >>

Razeek group claims second son

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 03:51 GMT]
At the resumed inquest into the death of Manikam Perinpamoorthy,21, at Kaluwankerni on November 10, the mother of the deceased told the Additional District Judge that some members of the 'Razeek' group threatened her that she too would meet her death like her son.
Full story >>

Tight security for SLMC convention

[TamilNet, Saturday, 20 November 1999, 03:47 GMT]
Security has been tightened in Kalmunai in the southeastern district of Ampara where the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) is planning to hold its 16th annual convention at Santhankerny stadium on Sunday, November 21 said sources.
Full story >>

Patients moved across front line

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 November 1999, 16:22 GMT]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) today escorted four seriously ill patients by fishing boat from the Vanni region held by the Liberation Tigers, via Anthoniyarpuram to Mannar held by the Sri Lanka Army, ICRC spokesman Harasha Gunawardene said.
Full story >>

SLA pulls FDLs back

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 November 1999, 11:51 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is establishing new forward defence lines (FDL) at Madhu road junction on the Vavuniya Mannar road after the Liberation Tigers took control of large areas in the northwestern district of Mannar yesterday.
Full story >>

Shell kills three

[TamilNet, Friday, 19 November 1999, 11:48 GMT]
Hospital sources in Vavuniya said three civilians were killed and five wounded when a shell hit Kovilpuliyankulam, 4 km. north of Poovarasankulam around 5.30 a.m. this morning. Poovarasankulam is about 16 km from Vavuniya on the Mannar road.
Full story >>

Hundreds of casualties in Mannar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 19:23 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) suffered hundreds of casualties when the Liberation Tigers captured several SLA camps on the strategic land route between Vavuniya town and Vidathaltivu on the western coast, the LTTE said in a press release today. The Tigers lost 10 fighters, the statement said.
Full story >>

Madhu said captured

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 14:06 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers captured Madhu town in the Mannar district this afternoon according to sources in Vavuniya town today. The Liberation Tigers however did not say they had taken control of Madhu in a state released earlier today, but said the Catholic pilgrimage town was surrounded.
Full story >>

Tigers resume offensive

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 12:36 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said in a press release today their forces had overrun the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) base at Palampitty and Peria Madu as the LTTE resumed their offensive in the Mannar district.
Full story >>

Case against torture victim withdrawn

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 11:36 GMT]
The Eastern High Court on Wednesday acquitted an accused in a case in which he was charged under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) when the State Counsel withdrew the indictments.
Full story >>

Police fail to file charges

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 11:35 GMT]
The Batticaloa Additional District Judge yesterday discharged a suspect as the Police had failed to file a complaint due to lack of evidence against him.
Full story >>

STF patrol ambushed

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 11:15 GMT]
An officer was killed when the Liberation Tigers ambushed a Special Task Force (STF) patrol at Bakielle in the Ampara district around 6.30 a.m. this morning said sources.
Full story >>

Tigers capture Periyamadhu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 10:45 GMT]
In a fierce offensive thrust the fighting units of the Liberation Tigers have captured today Periyamadhu in the Mannar district said LTTE sources in London.
Full story >>

Tigers capture Paalampiddy

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 10:05 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have captured Paalampiddy, an interior village about 45 km. northwest of Vavuniya in a predawn attack today said LTTE sources in London.
Full story >>

Renewed fighting in Vanni

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 08:05 GMT]
At least 42 Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) personnel were wounded when the Liberation Tigers destroyed the forward defence lines (FDLs) at Iranaiilluppailkulam, about 21 km. northwest of Vavuniya town this morning said security sources.
Full story >>

Bomb explodes in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 November 1999, 12:33 GMT]
A bomb believed to have been fixed on an abandoned bicycle exploded near the clock tower in the heart of Trincomalee around 3.30 p.m. this evening, police sources said.
Full story >>

Civilians return to Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 November 1999, 10:51 GMT]
Deserted Vavuniya town is becoming alive after about a week as thousands of residents have begun to trickle into the town from adjoining villages from this morning sources said.
Full story >>

Election violence reported

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 November 1999, 10:49 GMT]
Twenty-six incidents of violence, related to next months presidential election, have been reported after the election was called on 20 October, the police said.
Full story >>

Soldier killed in firefight

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 17 November 1999, 10:23 GMT]
A soldiers was killed when members of the Liberation Tigers, travelling in a three-wheeler, fired at Sri Lanka Army (SLA) patrol, last night around 8.45 p.m. at Jamalia in the Uppuveli area, a suburb of Trincomalee, said security sources.
Full story >>

Tigers urge civilians to return

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 20:05 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have requested the residents of Vavuniya to return to their homes said sources in the northern town today. An announcement over the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio said that in view of the difficult conditions the displaced were living in, the Tigers withdrew the original request to evacuate the town.
Full story >>

Refugees prevented from leaving Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 16:04 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army in Vavuniya is preventing Tamil civilians living in refugee camps close to SLA camps from leaving the northern town, said the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) in a report submitted to the Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunge today. In addition no food supplies have been distributed to the displaced since they left, or allowed into the Vanni since November 1, the report said.
Full story >>

Wheat lorries in SLA service

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 16:02 GMT]
The commandeering by the Sri Lanka Army of privately owned lorries without prior notice has resulted in a strike by drivers and cleaners transporting wheat flour produced at the Chinabay Prima Milling Complex in Trincomalee to the rest of the country has brought supplies to a complete standstill since November 12.
Full story >>

SLAF base shelled

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 15:43 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers fired mortar shells at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) base in Batticaloa this evening around 4.45, sources said. The LTTE launched this attack from Paduvankarai area, which is under their control.
Full story >>

Presidential nominations filed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 15:41 GMT]
Thirteen candidates have filed nominations for the Sri Lanka's Presidential elections next month said sources at the Elections Commissioner's office today. The number is a record they said.
Full story >>

Gunfire at MP's office

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 12:34 GMT]
Three persons were wounded when a group of gunmen fired with automatic riffles at the office of Ravi Karunanayake, a parliamentarian representing the United National Party (UNP) this morning said party sources. At least 42 rounds were fired at the office they added.
Full story >>

SLA blocks civilians' dry rations

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 11:24 GMT]
The Sri Lankan military authorities have told the government officials in Vavuniya not to provide dry rations to thousand of civilians moved from the town last week, Kachcheri sources said.
Full story >>

Two policemen killed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 November 1999, 11:16 GMT]
Two policemen were shot dead by unidentified youths in Kaluwanchikudy, about 35 km. south of Batticaloa, around 10 a.m. this morning said police sources.
Full story >>

CTTU strike planned

[TamilNet, Monday, 15 November 1999, 07:23 GMT]
The Ceylon Tamil Teachers' Union (CTTU) has alerted its members in the north-east province to be prepared to stage a one-day token strike on January 7 next year, putting forward the nine demands which have not been met by the education authorities, so far.
Full story >>

"Miraculous escape" for UNP MP

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 17:34 GMT]
Mr.A.H.M.Aswer, Member of Parliament in the National list of the Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) said today that he escaped miraculously when a grenade was thrown at the propaganda meeting held at Eppawela, about 175 km. north of Colombo.
Full story >>

Grenade attack on UNP rally

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 17:26 GMT]
One person died and at least 42 others were injured in a grenade attack this evening at a UNP meeting held at Eppawela, in the north-western province sources said.
Full story >>

Bishop pleads for relief aid

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 17:21 GMT]
Rt.Rev.Joseph Rayappu, Bishop of Mannar today afternoon met the Vanni Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander Neil Dias and appealed to him to allow government officials to provide relief and other assistance to the displaced residents of Vavuniya, now living in schools and other public buildings at Asikulam,Rasendrakulam and other villages, Tamil sources said.
Full story >>

Remaining Vavuniya residents asked to leave

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 15:12 GMT]
The Voice of Tigers in its news broadcasts this morning and yesterday night has appealed to the people who are still staying in Vavuniya area to leave immediately to designated safe places, residents said.
Full story >>

Girl missing, Youth arrested in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 15:10 GMT]
A ten year old girl, Ganeshan Gamini, from Ariyalai in Jaffna has been reported missing since yesterday, her parents have complained to the Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna.
Full story >>

Culvert blasted

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 13:33 GMT]
Unidentified men blasted a culvert on the Uppodai road in Vantharumoolai, about 20 km. north of Batticaloa last night around 7.30 p.m. yesterday evening said sources.
Full story >>

CVF member killed

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 13:28 GMT]
A member of the Civilian Volunteer Force (CVF), was shot dead by unidentified youth at Kalviyankadu junction, near Iruthayapuram Police sentry post in the Batticaloa town around 9.30 a.m. this morning said sources.
Full story >>

President says mediation tried

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 1999, 08:49 GMT]
The Sri Lanka President Chandrika Kumaratunge said in a question and answer session on local television Saturday that her government was not opposed to peace talks with mediation. She was responding to a question why the government had not accepted an offer of mediation from Norway.
Full story >>

Aid workers protest SLA pressure

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 November 1999, 19:58 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Vavuniya is pressuring civilians to return to the northern garrison town, said aid workers in Colombo today. The new SLA town commander has been applying severe pressure on aid agencies to support the SLA’s efforts, the aid workers said.
Full story >>

Munasinghe appointed Commander to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 November 1999, 14:26 GMT]
Major General Sarath Munasinghe has been appointed as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Security Forces, Jaffna. He was serving as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 54-Division stationed at Elephant Pass.
Full story >>

SLAF kills fisherman

[TamilNet, Saturday, 13 November 1999, 11:10 GMT]
A Tamil fisherman was killed when the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) personnel manning forward defence lines (FDLs) of the Batticaloa Air Port base fired Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) at Eeachanthivu, 6 km. west of Batticaloa town, around 4 a.m. this morning said sources.
Full story >>

Razeek group blamed for killing

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 November 1999, 17:51 GMT]
At the inquest held into the death of 21 year-old Manikkam Perinpamoorthy of Kaluwankerni, Batticaloa, his wife said in evidence that when she went to the army camp at Morakoddanchenai to see her husband's body, some members of the Razeek group, the auxiliary force of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), chased her away stating that her "husband's story was over".
Full story >>

Youth's body handed over

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 November 1999, 16:34 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Police handed over a body of a youth to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital this evening around 4.30 p.m., said sources.
Full story >>

Vavuniya said deserted

[TamilNet, Thursday, 11 November 1999, 08:20 GMT]
Vavuniya is almost completely deserted, the last few traders to leave the northern town told TamilNet today when contacted by telephone. They said they would be leaving shortly for safe areas designated by the Liberation Tigers.
Full story >>

UNP pledges talks with LTTE

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 November 1999, 14:30 GMT]
Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremasinghe said that were the UNP to win the Presidential elections next month, he would, without delay, commence talks with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) who would temporarily administer the Tamil dominated North East province for 2 years, prior to elections being held there.
Full story >>

Vavuniya residents said leaving

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 November 1999, 10:29 GMT]
Aid workers said today that civilians in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) garrison town of Vavuniya have begun leaving following several broadcasts in Tamil and Sinhala by the Voice of Tigers radio urging civilians to move to safer areas ahead of a possible LTTE offensive. The VoT is designating specific areas for the civilians to move into.
Full story >>

Two youths shot dead

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 November 1999, 09:55 GMT]
Two youths, Kasupathy Raventiran,20 and Sathasivam Mathan,18, were shot dead by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers in Valaichenai, 32 km. north of Batticaloa last night said residents.
Full story >>

SLA asks for villagers' support

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 November 1999, 18:43 GMT]
Sinhalese villagers in the Manal Aru (Weli Oye) region are being asked to support the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) resist advances by the Liberation Tigers into the eastern region, said sources in Trincomalee today.
Full story >>

Vavuniya traders apprehensive

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 November 1999, 18:37 GMT]
After short lull last night, heavy fighting resumed north of Vavuniya this morning and continued through the day, sources in the northern town told TamilNet by telephone today. The sound of continuous explosions rocked the town as the Sri Lanka Army and the Liberation Tigers exchanged artillery fire they said.
Full story >>

Tigers consolidate, press attack

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 November 1999, 18:32 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers are consolidating areas recently captured from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) whilst pressing on with their offensive in other areas, said sources close to the LTTE in Europe today.
Full story >>

Storm over casualty figures

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 09 November 1999, 11:54 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President today said that media reports of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sustaining heavy casualties in recent battles were "grossly exaggerated" and only 101 soldiers have been killed in the past week. However officials from Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party said that the SLA had suffered "terrible losses" of over 1000 killed and accused the government of concealing a "national disaster".
Full story >>

Tigers say advancing on three fronts

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 November 1999, 17:30 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said today they had advanced into Sri Lanka Army(SLA) held territory on three fronts in Manal Aru (Weli Oya), Omanthai and Pallamadu areas in the eastern, central and western Vanni respectively. The LTTE said in a statement from its London offices that over 1000 SLA troops and 119 LTTE fighters had been killed so far.
Full story >>

MSF "deeply concerned" by humanitarian situation

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 November 1999, 16:49 GMT]
The emergency medical aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres Friday expressed its deep concern about the humanitarian situation in northern Sri Lanka where heavy fighting has been ongoing for almost a week.
Full story >>

ICRC concern for wounded, prisoners

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 November 1999, 12:03 GMT]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva today reminded the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers (LTTE) of their obligation to comply with international humanitarian law. The ICRC press release comes in the wake of a week of heavy fighting in the north of the island.
Full story >>

UNP expels rebel MPs

[TamilNet, Monday, 08 November 1999, 09:05 GMT]
The Central Working Committee of the main opposition party, the United National Party (UNP), has expelled the five rebel parliamentarians who joined the ruling Peoples' Alliance (PA) recently, UNP sources said today.
Full story >>

Tigers say resume advance

[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 November 1999, 11:31 GMT]
After a brief lull the Liberation Tigers have launched large scale attacks on the Sri Lanka Army positions in Pallamadu and Paalampiddy on the eastern sector of the Mannar District said LTTE sources in London today. They said Omanthai, about 13 km. north of Vavuniya, has also come under heavy artillery attack.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka imposes censorship

[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 November 1999, 08:51 GMT]
The Sri Lankan President has imposed censorship on the local and foreign press under the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) with effect from November 6. The clamp down on the press comes in the wake of heavy fighting in the northern Vanni region where the Liberation Tigers have captured several strategic towns.
Full story >>

SLA launches offensive to stall Tigers

[TamilNet, Sunday, 07 November 1999, 08:09 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) began operations this morning towards areas captured by the Liberation Tigers during the past few days in the Vanni region, said security sources.
Full story >>

Soldiers tell of food shortage

[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 November 1999, 11:41 GMT]
A large number of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops have fallen back to the government garrison town of Vavuniya, after being routed from the Puliyankulam area, say sources there. Residents said more troops were regularly coming from the war front.
Full story >>

"Vavuniya exposed" say Tigers

[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 November 1999, 11:12 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said today the strategic Sri Lanka Army (SLA) garrison town of Vavuniya south of the Vanni region was "exposed to LTTE's offensive thrust", as the SLAís defence system in the Vanni region had "collapsed suddenly."
Full story >>

Tigers capture Puliyankulam

[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 November 1999, 08:52 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have captured Puliyankulam, a strategic town on the A9 highway, about 27 km north of Vavuniya, this afternoon said sources.
Full story >>

Tigers seize more towns

[TamilNet, Saturday, 06 November 1999, 05:00 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have captured another strategic town of Kanakarayankulam last night on the A9 highway after overrunning Mankulam yesterday, said Sri Lanka Army sources.
Full story >>

Opposition leader wants public debate with President

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 November 1999, 15:47 GMT]
The leader of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), Ranil Wickremesinghe, has challenged the Sri Lankan President, Chandrika Kumaratunge to a series of public debates on live television and radio. He was responding to a letter from the President accusing the UNP of obstructing a solution to the island's conflict.
Full story >>

Tigers say moving south

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 November 1999, 12:43 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have captured Mankulam town and are sweeping southwards along the A9 highway, the LTTE said in a press release from its London offices today. The Tigers say they captured Karupaddamurippu military base and Olamadu Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp earlier today.
Full story >>

Mankulam said under LTTE control

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 November 1999, 12:04 GMT]
The strategic town of Mankulam has been overrun by the Liberation Tigers said SLA sources in Vavuniya today.
Full story >>

Government concealing losses - UNP

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 November 1999, 11:03 GMT]
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) told TamilNet today that its delegates are making arrangements to hand over 36 bodies of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops and 5 Liberation Tigers to their respective commanders, as opposition politicians accused the Sri Lankan government of concealing losses.
Full story >>

Karupaddamurippu said captured

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 November 1999, 10:44 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have captured the strategic town of Karupaddamurippu which has been under the heavy attack for the last 24 hours said LTTE sources in London today.
Full story >>

1000 SLA troops killed - LTTE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 November 1999, 17:08 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said today they had captured vast areas of Ampakamam from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). In a statement issued from its London offices, the LTTE said its fighters "swept westwards" today in the direction of the A9 highway. Over 1000 SLA soldiers have been killed, the LTTE said, adding 60 of its fighters also died in the fighting so far.
Full story >>

Deputy Defence Minister in Vavuniya

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 November 1999, 16:29 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Deputy Defence Minister, General Anuruddha Ratwatte visited the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) garrison town of Vavuniya today to discuss with service commanders the situation in the Vanni war front, said sources. Meanwhile the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence (MoD) said SLA troops had "fallen back tactically" from Oddusuddan and Nedunkerni.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka Army base under attack -LTTE

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 November 1999, 11:48 GMT]
Heavy fighting is continuing for the third day in the Vanni where the Liberation Tigers have launched a fresh assault on the Karupaddamurippu the LTTE said in a statement from its London office today.
Full story >>

Shelling wounds four in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Thursday, 04 November 1999, 10:15 GMT]
Four civilians were wounded when the Special Task Forces (STF) shelled the villages of Palukaamam and Porathivu, about 35 km. southwest of Batticaloa, this morning around 11 a.m. said sources.
Full story >>

SLA commander in Vanni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 1999, 19:27 GMT]
The commander of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is reported to have gone to Kanagarayankulam in the Vanni today amid reports of heavy casualties in two days of intense fighting and major advances by the Liberation Tigers. Unconfirmed reports said over 1,800 Sri Lankan troops have been killed, wounded or are missing.
Full story >>

Tigers capture large area - radio

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 1999, 18:43 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have brought an area of 30 sq km with twenty villages under their control as part of their ongoing offensive codenamed 'Unceasing Waves 3' said the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio tonight.
Full story >>

Heavy casualties in Vanni battle

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 1999, 15:58 GMT]
Over one thousand SLA soldiers were killed or wounded when the Liberation Tigers overran Nedunkerni and Oddussudan towns, the LTTE said in a statement from its London offices today. The LTTE said 40 of their fighters have been killed so far, and that its offensive was continuing.
Full story >>

Tigers overrun Nedunkerni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 1999, 12:27 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers overran the town of Nedunkerni after heavy fighting today, said SLA sources. They said SLA units were withdrawing from the area amidst intense shelling by the Liberation Tigers.
Full story >>

Tigers raise flag at Oddusuddan

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 1999, 21:55 GMT]
The Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio said this evening that the Liberation Tigers raised the LTTE flag in the newly captured town of Oddusuddan at 12.30 p.m. today, having overrun the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) complex of which the town was a part. Meanwhile LTTE sources in London told TamilNet that fighting continued in jungle areas adjacent to the town.
Full story >>

Oddusuddan overrun - LTTE

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 1999, 12:10 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers overran defences of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and captured Oddusuddan town this morning, the LTTE said in a statement from their London offices today.
Full story >>

Thinamurasu chief editor killed

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 1999, 07:09 GMT]
Unidentified gunman shot and killed the chief editor of the Tamil weekly tabloid, 'Thinamurasu', Atputharajah Nadarajah, 38, in Colombo around 10.30 am this morning, said sources.
Full story >>

Youth shot, aid worker arrested

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 1999, 01:28 GMT]
A youth was shot dead by the Sri lankan police in Eravur in the Batticaloa district Monday evening. The police handed over his body to the Eravur hospital at around 8.30 pm said sources.
Full story >>

Shelling kills one

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 02 November 1999, 01:26 GMT]
Supramaniam Thiagarajah , 55, father of four children, was killed when his house at Karuvelankandel in the Oddusuddan area was hit by a shell fired by the Sri Lanka army (SLA) said the Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio Monday evening.
Full story >>

Three bodies handed over

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 November 1999, 16:35 GMT]
The bodies of three people with gunshot injuries were handed over to the Muttur hospital by the Sri Lankan Police Monday evening at about 4.30, hospital sources said.
Full story >>

Mannar GA released

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 November 1999, 12:33 GMT]
The Supreme Court today ordered the immediate release of Mannar Government Agent (GA) Mr. Saveriyan Mariathasan Cruz. He was arrested on September 4.
Full story >>

SLA changes fishing restrictions

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 November 1999, 12:31 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has stipulated new restrictions for fishermen in Mamunai in Vadamaradchi East in the Jaffna Peninsula said sources. According to the SLA announcement, the fishermen will not be allowed to set out for fishing before 12.00 midnight the sources said.
Full story >>

SLA shelling claims civilian

[TamilNet, Monday, 01 November 1999, 10:19 GMT]
A civilian, S.Vinayakam, 58, was killed yesterday in the farming hamlet of Kaddumurivu, 4 km. west of Kathiraveli in the Batticaloa district when a shell fired by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) hit his house said sources.
Full story >>