SLA fires into Jaffna University campus

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 September 2007, 14:07 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops opened fire into Jaffna University campus Sunday around 10:00 a.m claiming that a student shot at the SLA sentry post in front of the University, and rushed into the University premises, assaulting some of the students gathered at Kailaasapathi stage, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, Jaffna University Students Union (JUSU) representatives said none of the students had shot at the SLA and that one student was injured in the SLA shooting.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka’s Humanitarian Crisis discussed in Swiss seminar

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 September 2007, 13:46 GMT]
Centre for Just Peace and Democracy (CJPD), in collaboration with the International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR), and Sri Lanka and International League for the Rights and Liberation of Peoples (LIDLIP), Switzerland, hosted a seminar on “Humanitarian Action in the Undeclared War in Sri Lanka,” on 22 September 2007. Local and international activists, UN agencies and other humanitarian agencies discussed the present ground situation in Sri Lanka and explored ways to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population.
Full story >>

75 civilians arrested in Kotte, Gampaha

[TamilNet, Sunday, 30 September 2007, 12:59 GMT]
Seventy five civilians, most of them Tamil, were taken into custody in cordon and search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police at Kotte and Gampaha in Colombo district from early morning till around 10 a.m. Sunday. The detainees were staying with the relatives and working in business establishments when they were arrested, sources said.
Full story >>

SLA targets LTTE areas from Nagarkoyil FDL

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 19:23 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched artillery fire Saturday morning from their northern Front Defence Line (FDL) positions in Mukamaalai in Thenmaraadchi across the lagoon stretch towards Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territories. The attacks commenced at 5:50a.m. and lasted till 7:10a.m.
Full story >>

SLAF Kfirs bombs in Puthukkudiyiruppu

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 18:14 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers dropped 28 bombs in two sorties Saturday morning between 7:00a.m. and 8:30a.m. over civilian targets in Vallipunam, in Puthukkudiyiruppu DS division of Mullaiththeevu district.
Full story >>

Fr. Packiyaranjit's funeral held in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 17:05 GMT]
The funeral of Rev.Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjit, who was killed in a claymore explosion in Mallaavi in LTTE controlled area on Wednesday, was held Saturday afternoon at Mannaar cemetery with large number of people attending. Earlier the body was kept at Bishop House and at St.Sebastian Cathedral for public to pay their homage for the popular priest known for his humanitarian work.
Full story >>

UN urged to visit people enduring rights violations

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 16:57 GMT]
Human right officials of the United Nations who come to Sri Lanka should visit detention camps located in Boosa and other areas, and also should meet people affected by human right violations instead of meeting Colombo government officials only, stressed several Sri Lanka human rights activists addressing a media conference held at Sri Lanka Foundation Institute in Colombo.
Full story >>

3 killed in separate incidents in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 11:58 GMT]
A Jaffna Technical College student who was abducted Friday afternoon by unknown armed men in a white van near Nalloor Chettiththeru area in Jaffna was found shot to death in an open field between Maruthanaamadam and Urumpiraay Saturday morning, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, two other bodies were recovered in Chunnaaakam and Point-Pedro Saturday morning.
Full story >>

9 seek HRC protection, 4 missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 06:09 GMT]
Nine civilians in Thenmaraadchi, ranging from ages 18 to 67, including youths and family men, sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) in Jaffna Friday due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries. Meanwhile, four civilians are reported missing by their family members with HRC Jaffna.
Full story >>

Body found in Vavu'natheevu jungle

[TamilNet, Saturday, 29 September 2007, 03:42 GMT]
A body of an unidentified male with gunshot wounds was found Friday around 2:30 p.m in a jungle area in Vavu'natheevu in Batticaloa district by local residents. The police recovered the body and handed it over to Batticaloa Teaching hospital Friday evening.
Full story >>

UK terrorism lawyers to explain civil rights

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 15:53 GMT]
Leading British terrorism lawyers will Saturday address a public meeting organized by Tamil and other minority community groups in Britain on ‘Anti-Terrorism Legislation, Public Security and Protection of Civil Liberties.’ British Development Minister, Gareth Thomas, will be addressing the event, which members of the public are welcome to participate in, organisationers said. A press note by the Tamil Information Centre (TIC), which is chairing the event, said the meeting will “aim at addressing the fears of the community, and the threat to human rights and civil liberties.”
Full story >>

Youth injured in bomb explosion in I'nuvil

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 14:27 GMT]
Neighbours, hearing a loud explosion Friday around 8:30 a.m, in an abandoned house near by in Koa'navil in I'nuvil, Jaffna, looked in and found a youth lying with serious injuries. The youth is admitted to Jaffna Teaching hospital. He is provided with Sri Lanka Army protection at the hospital, Jaffna sources said.
Full story >>

Youth shot dead in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 11:17 GMT]
Unidentified armed men way laid a youth on his way to Point Pedro and shot him dead Thursday morning, sources in Point Pedro said. The victim was identified as Poopalasingam Sabaskaran, 24. The body of the youth shot was handed over to Manthikai hospital.
Full story >>

Abductors kill mother in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 11:08 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead a woman when she and her husband stopped foiled the attempt to abduct their 16 year-old son Thursday night around 11.15 p.m. at Anpuvallipuram, in Trincomalee town. Her husband and son were seriously injured. The area comes under the Uppuveli Police division.
Full story >>

17 Tamils arrested in Puttalam

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 08:22 GMT]
Seventeen Tamil civilians were taken into custody in a cordon and search operation conducted in Puttalam town in the northwestern province from around 3 a.m. till about 9 a.m. Friday by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Police. All the detainees are residents of north and east provinces, sources said.
Full story >>

Batticaloa hospital staff stage token strike

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 04:42 GMT]
The doctors and supporting staff of Batticaloa Teaching Hospital staged a token strike Thursday protesting against the shortage of doctors demanding immediate appointment of additional doctors.
Full story >>

4 seek HRC protection, one abducted, 2 missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 04:13 GMT]
Four in Thenmaraadchi, two students aged 16 and 18 along with two family men sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna Thursday due to death threats form the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries. Meanwhile, armed men in a white van abducted a family man from his house in Thirunelveali area in Jaffna.
Full story >>

Batticaloa Unemployed graduates demand work

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 04:10 GMT]
More than 400 unemployed graduates in Batticaloa district continued their protest rally for the fourth day Thursday morning at 9:00 a.m. outside the Zonal Educational office demanding the government to recruit them into public service. All activities of the education office were interrupted by this protest campaign, civil society sources in Batticaloa said.
Full story >>

2 Tamil IDPs reported missing in Ki'liveddy

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 03:02 GMT]
Two Tamil civilians staying in the transit welfare centre located in Ki'liveddy for internally displaced families in Trincomalee district are reported missing since Wednesday evening, according to complaints lodged with Moothoor police by their relatives.
Full story >>

Sea Tigers, Sri Lanka Navy clash in Eastern waters

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 02:27 GMT]
Three Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Dvora gunboats were destroyed by the Sea Tigers Thursday night when more than 17 Dvora boats engaged in a heavy sea fight with Sea Tiger flotillas in the seas off Pulmoaddai. 3 Sea Tigers were killed in the fighting that broke out at 10 p.m. Thursday and lasted till 3:30 a.m. Friday till the Sri Lanka Navy boats were pushed back to the east port harbor, towing the damaged boats, Sea Tiger officials told media.
Full story >>

Oregon judge voids Patriot Act provisions

[TamilNet, Friday, 28 September 2007, 01:52 GMT]
A federal judge in Oregon ruled Wednesday that the USA Patriot Act violates the Constitution's ban on unreasonable search and seizure as the act "permits the executive branch of government to conduct surveillance and searches of American citizens without satisfying the probable cause requirements of the 4th Amendment."
Full story >>

Thousands mourn slain priest in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 20:51 GMT]
Mannaar city stood at standstill and people flocked to the entrance of the city Thursday at 1:10 p.m. while the remains of Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, the Mannar district coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), killed allegedly by the Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit (DPU), reached the city. The reamins were escorted by Mannar Bishop Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph from Vavuniyaa to Bishop's House in Mannaar as thousands mourned along the way from Murungkan to Mannar. The priest was killed Wednesday when he was taking humanitarian supplies to displaced children in Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled areas of Mannar district.
Full story >>

Eachchilampathu IDPs' houses destroyed to establish SLA camp

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 11:43 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has destroyed more than thirty houses belonging to Eachilampaththu Internally Displaced People (IDP) to establish a camp in Verugal division in Trincomalee, civil society sources in Trincomalee said. The victims brought this to the notice of a delegation of the Inter-Religious Peace Forum (IRPF) headed by Trincomalee-Batticaloa Diocese Bishop Dr.Kingsely Swampillai.
Full story >>

Civilian shot dead in Koandaavil

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 11:11 GMT]
A 34-year-old old family man was shot dead in Koandaavil North, Jaffna Wednesday night at his home by unknown gunmen, sources in Jaffna said. The gunmen called the victim to come out the house and shot him at point blank range in front of his family members, relatives of the victim said.
Full story >>

Artillery duel in northern front, civilian shot dead in Chaavakachcheari

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 11:01 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) launched heavy artillery fire Thursday morning from their northern Front Line positions in Mukamaalai and Ki'laali in Thenmaraadchi across the lagoon stretch towards Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territories. The LTTE retaliated with heavy artillery fire and the exchanges are continuing, sources in Thenmaraadchi said. Meanwhile, two armed men on motorcycle shot dead Thursday a civilian on his way to Chaavakachcheari hospital in Thenmaraadchi Thursday.
Full story >>

LTTE condemns killing of Rev. Fr. Packiyaranjith

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 10:27 GMT]
Displacing the people by deliberate shelling and then killing the humanitarian workers who rush to assist the displaced is a strategy of "genocide," charged the Political Wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in a statement issued on Thursday, condemning the killing of Rev Fr Packiyaranjith on Wednesday by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU). Expressing "deep shock and sadness" at the death of a humanitarian worker and a religious clergy, the LTTE urged the International Community to strongly condemn the killing and other brutalities against humanitarian workers.
Full story >>

3 civilians killed, 30 wounded in bomb blast in Chunnaakam, Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 07:35 GMT]
Three civilians were killed and 30 wounded following an explosion near Chunnaakam market town in Valikaamam in the Jaffna district Thursday around 10:00 a.m. Legal sources said the Chunnaakaam Police has told the Court that one policeman was wounded in the blast. Police claimed that a Claymore mine had targeted a police vehicle.
Full story >>

12 Tamils arrested in Gampaha

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 02:55 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police took 12 Tamil civilians into custody in Gampaha town in Colombo district Wednesday in a cordon and search operation. Police said the detainees were taken in for questioning as they failed to prove their identity and the reason for their stay in the location.
Full story >>

Jaffna doctors protest reduction in intern appointments

[TamilNet, Thursday, 27 September 2007, 00:10 GMT]
The Medical Officers Association of Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH) announced Wednesday that doctors will stage a token protest Friday against the Sri Lanka Health Ministry for turning down request for more medical interns. The Health Ministry slashed the number of 31 interns to 19.
Full story >>

Col. Soosai: "Southern polity trapped in family centric power politics"

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 17:03 GMT]
Col. Soosai, Liberation Tigers special commander of the Sea Tigers, addressing a gathering in Puthukkudiyiruppu, on Wednesday, to mark the 20th death anniversary of Thileepan, former LTTE political head of Jaffna district, and the 6th death anniversary of the founder of Air Tigers, Col. Shankar, said that the southern polity in Sri Lanka has repeatedly failed to demonstrate the ability to transcend itself from the family centric power politics into the politics of statesmanship, pointing at Rajapaksa brother's "family rule" in the south.
Full story >>

Catholic priest on humanitarian mission killed in DPU Claymore attack

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 12:12 GMT]
Rev. Fr. Nicholaspillai Packiyaranjith, 40, the Mannaar district coordinator of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) was killed when Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) attackers launched a Claymore attack on his Hiace vehicle, at Kalvi'laan on Maangku'lam - Ve'l'laangku'lam road, Wednesday evening, Tamileelam Police officials in Mallaavi said. Fr. Ranjth was bringing baby milk and essential humanitarian supplies for displaced children in his vehicle, JRS sources in Mannaar said.
Full story >>

Tigers bury decomposed body of SLA soldier

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 11:14 GMT]
A highly decomposed body of Sri Lanka Army soldier, with Sri Lankan national identity card number 832963291V and SLA soldier number S317369, was buried with military honors by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) in Mannaar on Wednesday. LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told media that the body was recovered in a clearing mission after thwarting a SLA ground operation Monday in Ku'risuddaku'lam area. In the meantime, a new operation was launched by the SLA Wednesday morning in Mu'l'likku'lam.
Full story >>

New Sinhala colony in Raalku'li, villagers complain

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 11:07 GMT]
Resettled Tamil families in Raalku'li, a traditional Tamil village in Moothoor division in Trincomalee district, expressed fear that the Sri Lanka government is attempting to settle Sinhala families in their village. The fear follows the laying foundation stone for about 138 houses under a resettlement project in the village with the funding of a Buddhist Organization located in Colombo.
Full story >>

Sri Lanka rejects rights critics as neocolonialists

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 10:50 GMT]
Under fire for mounting rights abuses by its military, Sri Lanka Tuesday attacked critics, including the EU, as neocolonialists. In a strongly worded statement, Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the UN, said there was no "moral asymmetry" between Sri Lanka and the critics. "There is far too much naming and shaming going on and its flowing only in one direction," he said. "We did not spawn fascism on our soil. We did not have concentration camps, and we did not set out to conquer the world. We are only trying to defend and re-unify our country [...] We do not need lectures from those who did."
Full story >>

AG directed to expedite inquiry in PTA, ER cases

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 03:16 GMT]
Chief Justice of Sri Lanka Supreme Court, Mr.Sarath N.Silva, Tuesday directed the Attorney General (AG) to expedite inquiries on Tamil suspects detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and Emergency Regulations (ER), and to release them immediately if there is no evidence against them. Mr. Silva made this order during the inquiry into the Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by seven Tamil suspects currently being detained in Boosa detention camp, legal sources said.
Full story >>

5 in Thenmaraadchi seek HRC protection

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 September 2007, 00:44 GMT]
Five civilians , including three youths between 20 and 22 years of age, in Thenmaraadchi sought protection with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Tamil youth reported missing in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 19:21 GMT]
A Tamil youth, Vijayarajah Sekar, 23, from Thirumal Street in east port townhas been reported in Trincomalee town since 5th of September, according to a complaint lodged with the Trincomalee police by his parents Tuesday.
Full story >>

Out of town residents in Homagama ordered to register

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 19:00 GMT]
Sri Lanka Police has issued warnings to residents of Homagama, a town in the Colombo district in western province Tuesday not to allow outsiders to stay in their houses even temporarily without registering with the closest police station, sources in Colombo said. Security officials said that about 2000 persons from outside Homagama have been temporarily staying in Homagama town and surrounding areas.
Full story >>

STF, LTTE exchange mortar fire in Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 18:20 GMT]
Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) launched mortar shells Tuesday around 2:30 p.m from their base in Kagnchikuddichchaa'ru in Ampaa'rai district, on Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held areas in Ampaa'rai. LTTE retaliated with mortar shells, Ampaa'rai district LTTE Political Head Kaviyarasan said.
Full story >>

Jaffna Lawyers to end boycott

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 14:39 GMT]
Lawyers in Jaffna, following a meeting held at Jaffna courts Monday morning attended by the members of the Sri Lankan Army and an association of Attorneys-at–law practicing in the peninsula, have ended Tuesday the boycott protesting against threat to their lives and extortion demands, legal sources said.
Full story >>

2 killed, one injured in SLA shooting in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 12:32 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers opened indiscriminate firing following a Claymore attack Tuesday around 9:00 a.m on its road patrol unit at Chiththangkea'ni in Jaffna, killing a civilian woman, a youth and seriously injuring another youth, sources in Jaffna said. Two SLA troops were injured in the Claymore attack.
Full story >>

SLAF bombs Pooneryn

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 08:23 GMT]
Two Kfir bombers of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Tuesday carried out two bombing strikes on Pooneryn (Poonakari) division situated along the northwestern coast of Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled Vanni mainland. Civilian settlements were the targets, initial reports said. First attack took place betweeen 12:15 and 12:40 p.m., and the second attack lasted till 1:20 p.m., according to initial reports.
Full story >>

Muslims allege Sinhala colonization in Pulmoddai

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 06:09 GMT]
Muslim residents in Pulmoddai village have made representations to their leaders that the Sri Lanka government is taking steps to acquire several acres of their traditional lands to colonise Sinhalese under the pretext of establishing an industrial estate with the assistance of the Mineral Sands Corporation, civil society sources in Trincomalee said.
Full story >>

Artillery fire kills Tamil civilian in I'raalku'li

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 04:06 GMT]
A Tamil civilian was killed when an artillery shell exploded at I'raalku'li, a resettled Tamil village in Moothoor division in Trincomalee, last Monday night around 8 p.m., Moothoor police said.
Full story >>

UNP protest rally in Hatton draws thousands

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 02:30 GMT]
Thousands took part in a protest rally organized by United National Party (UNP) in Hatton on Monday condemning the actions of the current administration. The protestors shouted slogans condemning that the protracted conflict has increased prices of essential items and food, creating economic hardships for the civilian population.
Full story >>

7 seek protection with HRC, 2 youths missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 September 2007, 00:17 GMT]
Six civilians from Thenmaraadchi and one from Vadamaraadchi, all between the ages of 24 to 56, sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office on Monday due to death threats by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Tamil sovereignty, basis of peace talks - LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 17:37 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), in a statement issued Monday, urged the UN General Assembly which has gathered for its 62nd session in New York, USA, to recognize the concept of the sovereignty of the Tamil people and support the peace process in accordance with this principle. The LTTE statement characterized the confidence of some members of the International Community on Sri Lanka's latest All Party Representative Committee (APRC) which has not brought any constructive outcome to date, as a misplaced confidence.
Full story >>

Farmer shot dead in Akkaraipattu

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 16:42 GMT]
Unknown gunmen on a motorcycle followed a farmer riding home on his motorcycle and shot him dead around 01:05 p.m Monday with a pistol in front of Aalaiyadivempu Divisional Secretariat, located on Chaakaamam road in Akkaraipattu in Amparai district, Akkaraipattu police said.
Full story >>

Mannaar offensive thwarted - LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 16:24 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army army launched a ground offensive Monday morning at 5:30 towards Liberation Tigers controlled Adaikkalaimoaddai in Kaddukkaraikku'lam Tank area. After 9 hours of stiff fighting, the SLA troops were pushed back to their positions suffering heavy causalities, military spokesperson of Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), Irasaiah Ilanthiraiyan said. The Tigers lost 6 fighters in the clash.
Full story >>

SLA suffer heavy casualties in Northern Front - LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 12:49 GMT]
Heavy fighting ensued between a unit of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers and the fighters of Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) Monday morning when the SLA unit attempted to move towards LTTE Forward Defence Line in Ki'laali in the Northern Front Monday morning around 5:00 a.m. Liberation Tigers said they inflicted heavy losses to the Sri Lanka Army and four of their fighters were killed in action. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan military officials in Colombo claimed only one soldier was killed in action.
Full story >>

Jaffna officials explore setting up of Vigilant Committees

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 10:50 GMT]
Jaffna Government Agent (GA), Jaffna Magistrates, Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Jaffna Commander, Major. Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri, Northern Region Police Commissioner, S. Siriwardne, Jaffna Police Superintendent and several key officials met Monday morning at Thellippa'lai police station in Jaffna and discussed setting up Vigilant Committees as a preventive measure to curb the death threats, intimidation and extortion rampant in Jaffna peninsula alleged to be carried out by Tamil paramilitaries backed by the SLA, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

One SLA trooper killed, 6 injured in Ki'laali clashes

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 10:46 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) beat back an early morning a joint infiltration operation by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) into LTTE held area at Ki'laali FDL positions in Thenmaraadchi Monday, sources in Thenmaraadchi said. SLA reports said that one SLA soldier was killed and six injured. But the casualty and injury figures are estimated to be higher, sources added.
Full story >>

Barmy Army to Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 08:49 GMT]
The British High Commissioner, speaking at the Ceylon Hotel School Graduates Association in Habarana, on Saturday, praised the tourism potentiality of Sri Lanka and the "smiling faces" of Sri Lankan people. He was hopeful of England's touring fans, the Barmy Army to Sri Lanka on the eve of England's cricket tour. Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan academic in the field of cultural tourism told TamilNet that western tourists, ever crazy about novelty, chose Sri Lanka as a destination in recent times to get the thrill of being in a war zone.
Full story >>

Artillery duel in Mannaar, hospitals on red alert

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 07:10 GMT]
Heavy artillery streaked from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) controlled Mannaar into Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled Maanthai West Monday morning, following a SLA ground operation in Mannaar Vavuniyaa border Sunday evening. The artillery barrage by SLA began to shake the city at 5:30 a.m. The SLA has notified the two hospitals, Mannaar general hospital and Murungkan district hospital, to be put on high alert. Telephone links to LTTE controlled Maanthai West have been cut off.
Full story >>

Court releases Hindu priest, trustee charged under PTA

[TamilNet, Monday, 24 September 2007, 04:02 GMT]
The Colombo Chief Magistrate Thursday ordered the release of Brammasri Sivaramalinga Kurukal Manohara Kurukal, chief priest of Kayts Muthumaariamman Temple and a trustee, Mr. Nadarajah Sivarajah, on a report of the Attorney General that there was no evidence to implicate both under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Full story >>

Nearly 1000 students participate in Jaffna peace rally

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 20:30 GMT]
More than one thousand students from schools throughout Jaffna peninsula gathered at Jaffna Central College Sunday morning to take part in a rally urging all parties to earnestly participate in the peace process. The meeting organized jointly by more than 18 Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the peninsula, under the patronage of an organization named Childrens’ Friendship Association, commenced at 9:00 a.m., and lasted more than two hours.
Full story >>

2 civilians shot dead inside Point-Pedro HSZ

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 18:08 GMT]
An eatery owner and a Saiva priest were shot dead by unknown gunmen inside the High Security Zone (HSZ) in Point Pedro early morning Sunday, sources in Point Pedro said. The killlings took place within 10 minutes of each other in an area with heavy Sri Lanka Army (SLA) presence have shocked the local residents, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

SLA shelling injures civilian in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 16:56 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops fired artillery shells Saturday from 7:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on civilian settlements including Ka'n'naaddi and Adampan areas in Mannaar district, seriously injuring a family man on his back and legs.
Full story >>

Tamil youth shot dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 16:05 GMT]
Unidentified armed persons shot dead a Tamil youth at Kumbu'rupiddy, a traditional Tamil village in Trincomalee district, Sunday morning around 5.30 a.m,.
Full story >>

Students protest SLAF bombings near Vanni schools

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 12:16 GMT]
Students, parents, teachers, and principals in Puthukkuddiyiruppu in Mullaiththeevu district, protested Friday against the continuing Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombing on areas close to schools in Vanni. They marched to the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) office in Puthukkuddiyiruppu and handed an appeal, requesting ICRC to intervene to stop the indiscriminate bombings by the SLAF, sources in Vanni said.
Full story >>

Death threats to Jaffna university student leaders, faculty heads

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 12:14 GMT]
Pamphlets containing a death-list of thirteen members of Jaffna University Student Union (JUSU) and faculty heads were pasted in the campus walls Friday night, creating fear among the undergraduates, and disrupting normal educational activities, sources in Jaffna said. Unless immediate efforts are taken to stop the death threats, the students will be forced to agitate, JUSU representatives who wish to remain anonymous said to TamilNet Saturday.
Full story >>

Teenager shot dead, body found in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 10:49 GMT]
Unidentified gunmen shot dead a sixteen-year-old boy Saturday evening at Ve'l'laave'li police division in Batticaloa district, as he was returning home after playing with his friends, Ve'l'laave'li police said.
Full story >>

One karuna group member shot dead, 2 injured in Akkaraipattu

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 08:56 GMT]
One person was killed and two seriously injured in a shooting incident Saturday around 8:45 p.m in Karuna group office located at Aaliyadivempu area in Akkaraipattu police division in Ampaa'rai district, Akkaraipattu police said.
Full story >>

Aalankea'ni Pillaiyar temple President abducted

[TamilNet, Sunday, 23 September 2007, 03:11 GMT]
Unidentified armed persons arriving in a van and motorbike abducted the President of Aalankea'ni Pillaiyar Temple Society Saturday evening, according to a complaint filed by his wife with the Kinniyaa police. Mr.Thangarasa Gowrirasa, 40, and a father of two children had been way laid by armed persons when he was returning home from his temple after attending poojah.
Full story >>

World must rein in Sri Lankan state – TNA

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 11:13 GMT]
Protesting that the Sri Lankan government had discarded negotiating a settlement to the island’s ethnic conflict, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)urged the international community to take a principled stand on the Tamil people’s right to self determination. Outlining the humanitarian and human rights crisis that has emerged in the wake of Colombo’s military project, the TNA also argued: “the Sri Lankan State will not conform to international norms or standards. It is only by the International Community … taking meaningful steps, can the Sri Lankan State be made to realize that it cannot continue with the present disastrous trend.”
Full story >>

Trinco bus collision wounds 20 military personnel

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 08:49 GMT]
Twenty Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) personnel were injured when two buses collided at 5th Mile Post in Saradapura in Trincomalee around 11.00 am Saturday, police said. Four of the wounded were in critical state.
Full story >>

Claymore explosion in Trincomalee, bus driver killed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 08:44 GMT]
The driver of a private passenger bus was killed and two others were injured in a claymore mine explosion that took place Saturday morning around 11.30 a.m. at Chaampaltheevu, a Tamil village located along Trincomalee-Nilaave'li road, about seven km off east port town. The site is located in the Uppuveli police division. The claymore mine exploded when the bus was speeding.
Full story >>

Monks attend Mannaar peace march

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 05:58 GMT]
Anti-War National Front and Felix Organization organized a peace procession in Mannaar town Saturday morning starting in front of the Mannaar courthouse and ending at St.Sebastian Church premises via main road. More than one hundred delegates comprising of Buddhist priests and peace activists from Anuradhapura participated in the procession and public meeting with their counterparts in Mannaar town.
Full story >>

Kumaratunge to visit New York

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 05:19 GMT]
Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, former President of Sri Lanka, is scheduled to leave for New York Tuesday morning at the invitation of Bill Clinton Foundation. Her US visit coincides with President Mahinda Rajapakse trip to New York. Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge held the Executive Presidency post from 1994 till 2005, for two terms.
Full story >>

SLAF bombs Visuvamadu for 2nd day, civilian killed, 12 wounded

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 04:58 GMT]
An 85-year-old man was killed and 12 civilians, including his son and daughter who is a teacher, a six-months-old baby, a 9-year-old girl and two couples, were wounded when Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Kfir bombers attacked Punnai Neeraavi village in Visuvamadu Saturday between 7:00 and 7:25 a.m. Civilians at the Visuvamadu market, situated 350 meters from the attack site, fled away in panic. The bombed area is located bordering the Ki'linochchi and Mullaiththeevu districts.
Full story >>

2 Family men seek protection with HRC Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 02:03 GMT]
Two family men, one from Chaavakachcheari in Thenmaraadchi and the other from Urumpiraai in Valigaamam, sought protection Friday with the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed Tamil paramilitaries, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Hartal marks remembrance of Ma'nmunai massacres

[TamilNet, Saturday, 22 September 2007, 01:07 GMT]
People of Aaraiyampathi, Ma'nmunai, in Batticaloa district observed total shut down Friday in remembrance of the 42 civilians massacred August 1990 in Puthukkudiyiruppu village in Ma'nmunai area, sources in Batticaloa said. The shut down was fully observed though Special Task Force (STF) troops demanded the traders to open their shops, the sources added.
Full story >>

SLA trooper killed, another injured in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 15:50 GMT]
Unknown attackers hurled a grenade at the Sri Lanka Army SLA foot patrol unit Friday around 2:00 p.m, killing a trooper and seriously injuring another near first mile post in Point Pedro in Vadmaraadchi, along Jaffna-Point Pedro road.
Full story >>

Claymore attack kills chocolate salesman in Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 12:08 GMT]
A salesman of a private company succumbed to his wounds after a Claymore mine exploded hitting his van at Chava'lakkadai along Ampaa'rai Ma'ndoor road Friday at 2:15 p.m., Police said. His driver and helper were also wounded in the explosion, and are warded at Ampaa'rai hospital.
Full story >>

Youth shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 11:42 GMT]
A youth was shot dead by gunmen alleged to be belonging to Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed paramilitaries in an area behind the Jaffna main post office, between KKS Road and Muneeswaram Road, at 12:15 p.m. Friday, sources in Jaffna said. Soon after the killing the SLA troopers in the area had fired into the air, traders near the crime site said.
Full story >>

Colombo Tamil residents complain of Police harassment

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 11:28 GMT]
Tamil residents are being harassed in Colombo suburbs of Wattala, Kotahena, Modera, and Wellawatte when they go to police stations to register as instructed by the Defence Ministry. Although instructions from the Defence Ministry do not require residents to produce photographs, the Police officials are demanding photographs, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

TNA urges resettlement of Musali displaced

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 11:13 GMT]
Mr.Selvam Adaikalanathan, TNA Wanni district Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian, in an urgent letter, has appealed to Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse to take steps to resettle all families displaced from Musali divisional secretariat division in Mannaar district before the northeast monsoon, TNA sources said.
Full story >>

SLAF bombs Visuvamadu in Vanni

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 08:44 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) kfir bombers dropped eight bombs in two sorties Friday between 12:15 a.m and 12:40 p.m on Visuvamadu junction, behind the shops in the area, in Puthukkudiyiruppu DS division of Mullaitheevu distirict, sources in Vanni said. A 65-year-old man identified as Nagappan and a child aged 3 years 3 months sustained injuries in the bombing while 5 students in a school located 800 meters from the bombed area fainted in shock of the exploding bombs.
Full story >>

Tamil GS officer shot dead in Moothoor East

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 06:49 GMT]
Armed men shot and killed Paranjothy Muttukumar, 52, the Village Officer of Kaddaipparichchaan GS area in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) held Moothoor East in Trincomalee district Thursday around 8:00 p.m. Mr Paranjothi is the eldest brother of P.Sounthararajan, opposition leader of the Moothoor Pradesya Sabha (PS). Mr.Sounthararajan has been leading a group of four Tamil National Alliance (TNA) members elected last year to the eleven-member Moothoor PS.
Full story >>

SLMM collects information on Rights violations in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 21 September 2007, 00:30 GMT]
Officials of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) visited Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna office Wednesday to obtain details of human rights violation in the Jaffna peninsula, HRC sources said. The SLMM officials also visited offices of International and Local NGOs, and media and Volunteer Organizations learning first hand of the rights violations escalating at a rapid rate in the peninsula.
Full story >>

Body found with gunshot wounds in Jaffna lagoon

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 18:32 GMT]
The body of a Kurunakar fisherman with gunshot wounds lying inside a boat was found by fellow fishermen Thursday afternoon in Jaffna lagoon. The body was handed over to Jaffna Teaching Hospital mortuary Thursday evening, according to Kurunakar Fishermen Society sources.
Full story >>

6 civilians seek protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 17:36 GMT]
One family man from Pungkudutheevu islet of Jaffna and five civilians from Thenmaraadchi sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna, fearing for their lives due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed Tamil paramilitary armed men, Thursday, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Tamil youth shot dead at Periyakulam

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 16:30 GMT]
A Tamil youth was shot dead by unidentified men on Wednesday night around 8:00 p.m.at Periyakulam in Uppuveli Police division in Trincomalee district. The victim has been identified as 26 year-old Senthooran, police sources said.
Full story >>

Killinochchi ACLG files FR petition in Supreme Court

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 11:17 GMT]
Mr.Alvapillai Kandiah Balasubramaniam, Assistant Commissioner of Local Government (ACLG) in Killinochchi district, arrested and kept in remand since June 26 under the Emergency Regulations, Wednesday filed fundamental rights petition in the Supreme Court seeking his release. He has cited Borella Police Officer-in-Charge, Inspector General of Police, Defence Ministry Secretary, Commissioner General of Prisons and Attorney General as respondents in his petition, legal sources said.
Full story >>

Pavement trader shot dead in Jaffna town

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 11:13 GMT]
An unidentified gunman shot dead a pavement trader along Muneesvaram road in Jaffna town Thursday around 10:00 a.m and escaped from the scene, sources in Jaffna said. The trader is the third pavement vendor to be shot in broad daylight in the heart of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) High Security Zone, the sources added.
Full story >>

SLAF bombs TRO Mullaiththeevu office, civilian settlement, 6 wounded

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 08:53 GMT]
Six civilians were injured and five were rushed to Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital after Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers dropped bombs near Puthukkudiyiruppu town, targeting Tamil Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) Mullaiththeevu district office and the civilian settlements in the area around 11:30 a.m. Thursday. The TRO buildings were damaged, and a civilian house was fully destroyed in the attack when the bombs exploded on the air and the ground, 1 km near the town on A-35 highway. The SLAF attack air-crafts flew two bombing raids. Tension prevailed in the town as civilians at the market and other locations were caught in panic.
Full story >>

Jaffna lawyers protest against death threats, extortion

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 03:57 GMT]
Lawyers in Jaffna peninsula staged a token protest demonstration Wednesday, refraining from appearing for sessions at the five Divisional courts and the High Court in the peninsula, against the death threats, intimidation and extortion by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed Tamil paramilitary groups, an attorney-at-law participating in the protest, said.
Full story >>

2 civilians seek HRC protection, One missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 20 September 2007, 02:24 GMT]
A youth and a family man from Thenmaraadchi sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna, Wednesday. Meanwhile, a father of three children from Kurunakar in Jaffna town is reported missing since Tuesday, according to complaints made by his wife to HRC Jaffna Wednesday.
Full story >>

2 Tamils shot dead in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 21:05 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead two Tamil civilians Tuesday night at Panku'lam, a predominant Tamil village in Trincomalee district. Panku'lam, located 24 km northwest of Trincomalee town along Trincomalee-Auradapura road, comes under Moraweva Divisional Secretariat.
Full story >>

SLA ground offensive in Northern FDL repulsed - LTTE

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 18:03 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) field officials Wednesday evening claimed that they have repulsed a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) ground offensive inside the no-man area in the Northern border at Naakar Koayil, after 12-hours intensive fight, causing heavy losses to the Sri Lanka Army. SLA troops had attempted to capture a Listening Post (LP) night position, forward the Tiger Forward Defence Line (FDL) and two LTTE fighters were killed in action, repulsing the SLA ground offensive, according to the LTTE.
Full story >>

SLA soldier killed, 4 injured in artillery duel at Northern FDL positions

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 17:09 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier was killed and four injured Tuesday afternoon in a artillery and rocket fire duel between Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the Forward Defence Line (FDL) positions in Naakarkoayil and Mukamaalai, SLA media sources said. The duel continues Wednesday with both sides intensifying the attacks.
Full story >>

SL President's Commission of Inquiry fails - IIGEP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 15:34 GMT]
The International Independent Group of Eminent Persons (IIGEP), tasked to monitor the progress of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Commission of Inquiry (CoI), set up to investigate and inquire into serious violations of Human Rights, on Tuesday, charged that there was no substantial progress since the inception of the Commission. The IIGEP has been concerned that the Commission had not fulfilled its obligation of full disclosure and concluded that the investigation and inquiry process to date fails to comply effectively with international norms and standards.
Full story >>

TNA urges inquiry into East killings

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 15:05 GMT]
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentary Group leader R. Sampanthan told the Sri Lanka Parliament Tuesday, the Government of Sri Lanka should appoint a commission, consisting retired judges, to investigate the killings of the Tamil civilians during the recent military offensives in the East, parliamentary sources said. He suggested that a Muslim should lead the commission with members appointed from three communities, Tamil, Muslim and Sinhalese.
Full story >>

Karuna group member shot dead in Vaazhaicheanai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 13:40 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead Monday around 9:00 p.m a member of Karuna group at his house in Vinaayakapuram in Vaazhaicheanai in Batticaloa district, Kalkudaa police said.
Full story >>

3 STF troops injured in Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 04:02 GMT]
Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF), an elite commando unit, began an operation Monday around 8:00 a.m in an attempt to penetrate into Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) held territory in Ampaa'rai district, assisted by heavy artillery and mortar fire. Three STF troops were injured in the stiff resistance by the LTTE, Ampaa'rai district LTTE Political Head Kaviyarasan said.
Full story >>

Jaffna lawyers to protest against death threats

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 02:07 GMT]
Lawyers in Jaffna peninsula, will hold a token protest demonstration throughout the peninsula Wednesday in protest against the death threats, intimidation, and extortion by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed Tamilparamilitary groups, civil sources in J affna said. The Lawyers will not appear for sessions at the five Divisionalcourts and the High Court in the peninsula, according to an announcement made by the Jaffna Peninsula Attorneys-at-law Association (JPAA), Tuesday.
Full story >>

Oddusuddaan education standards at all time low - Principal

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 19 September 2007, 00:20 GMT]
"The prevailing war situation has severely affected the education of our young people. Students attendance rates have dropped due to fear of aerial bombardments and claymore attacks in the vicinity of our school. Only a permanent solution to our conflict will allow the schools to prosper and educational standards to improve,” said Mr.N.Karunaharan, principal of Oddusuddaan Maha Vidyalayam located within Thu'nukkaay Educational Zone last week.
Full story >>

Basil Rajapakse appointed National List MP

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 18:59 GMT]
Basil Rajapakse, senior advisor and brother of Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse is to be sworn in as National List parliamentarian when the parliament meets on Wednesday, parliamentary sources in Colombo said. His name has been forwarded to the Commissioner of Elections by the General Secretary of the ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Susil Premajayanth Tuesday to fill the vacancy created with the death of Mr.Anwer Ismail, a minister in the present government last week.
Full story >>

3 students seek protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 18:27 GMT]
Three college students surrendered at HRC office in Jaffna Tuesday due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed paramilitaries amid recent escalation in the number of civilians including families in Jaffna peninsula seeking protection.
Full story >>

Naziism, apartheid alive in Sri Lanka- US editorial

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 14:52 GMT]
Comparing the eviction of more than 500 Tamils from Colombo to Naziism and apartheid, and "one part of a long genocidal streak," an editorial that appeared in Cincinnati Enquirer's Tuesday edition, said that inaction on allowing US government's funding the Sri Lankan military, will imply not just neutrality, but complicity.
Full story >>

SL Parliament to debate Rajapakse-LTTE bribe allegation

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 11:15 GMT]
Sri Lanka Parliament is to debate an adjournment motion moved by Mr.Sripathi Sooriyarachchi, co-ordinator of the Peoples Wing of he Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) on Thursday on the controversial allegation that Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse had given money to the LTTE on the eve of 2005 November presidential election.
Full story >>

Trincomalee medical officers suspend boycott

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 10:56 GMT]
The boycott by medical officers and health workers in the Trincomalee general hospital Tuesday morning demanding that they should be provided with security from armed groups was withdrawn later in the day following an assurance given by the Trincomalee police, Dr.Mudditha Palliaguruge, North-East Co-ordinator of the Government Medical Officers Union (GMOA) said in Colombo.
Full story >>

Death threats escalate in Jaffna, doctors flee extortion

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 10:25 GMT]
Death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed Tamil paramilitary groups, have forced many doctors and medical specialists in Jaffna to complain to Human Rights Commission (HRC) and to leave the peninsula fearing death and abduction of their children and family members while more of them are contemplating flight from the peninsula, civil society sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, an editor of the Jaffna edition of a Colombo based daily has been threatened to death. Paramilitary personnel are targeting the Tamil intellectuals in Jaffna with extortion, abduction and death threats.
Full story >>

Youth shot dead in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 09:36 GMT]
Two unidentified armed men on motorcycle shot dead a youth Monday morning at his house in Thampasiddi in Point Pedro, Vadamaraadchi and fled from the place. Point Pedro Magistrate K. Ariyanayagam conducted the inquest into death Tuesday and ordered the body to be handed over to the victim's family.
Full story >>

Batticaloa fishermen protest against paramilitary harassment

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 02:50 GMT]
More than 300 fishermen living along the coast of Batticaloa district continued their boycott for the third consecutive day, protesting against the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed paramilitary armed men who forcibly buy their catch at very low prices, seriously affecting their income, the protesting fishermen said. The fishermen also said insecure atmosphere prevails in the coastal areas and that live in constant fear for their lives.
Full story >>

SLA intensifies security in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 02:46 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna, in response to the recent increasing number of attacks against their troops in Jaffna peninsula, launched search operations and intensive checking in Jaffna town, Valikaamam areas, and coastal areas of Vadamaraadchi beginning Monday morning, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Puthukudiyiruppu children malnourished

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 18 September 2007, 01:13 GMT]
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in a a six month long research involving 5250 children in the administrative area of Regional Health officer of Puthukudiyiruppu in Mullaitheevu district, Wanni, has found widespread serious malnourishment among the children.
Full story >>

Two STF commandos killed in Tiger ambush in Ampaa'rai

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 21:38 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched an ambush attack of Sri Lanka Task Force (STF) patrol unit Monday around 9:40 a.m at Bakmitiyawa in Ampaa'rai district, killing two and seriously injuring three of the troops in the unit, LTTE sources in Ampaa'rai said.
Full story >>

2 families with children seek protection with HRC Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 21:23 GMT]
Two families from Thenmaraadchi with three children aged under fifteen sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Monday due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed paramilitary men and SLA troops, according to statements given by the two families to HRC.
Full story >>

Abducted youth in Ragama left blindfolded in Dambulla

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 10:41 GMT]
Kanthasamy Kamaladas, 29, abducted by unidentified persons on Wednesday morning at Ragama railway station appeared at the Ragama police station Monday morning, sources in Colombo said. Kamaladas said he was dropped by the abductors in a jungle area in Dambulla in Kandy district on Sunday night blind-folded, but managed to obtain help from a lorry driver to travel back to Ragama.
Full story >>

Tamil youth reported missing in Colombo

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 10:37 GMT]
A Tamil youth from Old Moor Street in Colombo has been reported missing after he left home for work on Tuesday, September 11, his relatives in Colombo said. The person has been identified as S.Nishanthan, 25, is a mason, and a father of one child.
Full story >>

SLA reimposes curfew hours in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 06:41 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) authorities in Palaali Military base reimposed curfew hours in Jaffna peninsula from 7:00 p.m to 4:30 a.m, with effect from Sunday, revoking the Thursday reduction of two hours, in an announcement made Saturday night.
Full story >>

Swiss Tamil children hone drawing skills

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 September 2007, 02:21 GMT]
758 Tamil children, ranging in ages from five to ninteen, from most of the 23 cantons in Switzerland, participated in an art competition held Sunday, organized by Swiss Tamil Educational Service (TES), a volunteer organization administered by expatriate Tamils, sources in Switzerland said.
Full story >>

Civilian injured following grenade attack on Nelliyadi SLA camp

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 September 2007, 18:56 GMT]
Unknown gunmen hurled a hand grenade inside the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camp located in Vathiri junction and opened fire at the camp around 6:50 p.m. Saturday, sources in Point Pedro said. A civilian riding in his bicycle along the main road was injured in the exchange of gunfire
Full story >>

46 civilians arrested in Dehiwala, Gampaha

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 September 2007, 11:15 GMT]
Seventeen civilians, majority of them Tamils, were arrested in a combined cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police in Dehiwala in Colombo district from Saturday night to Sunday dawn, sources in Colombo said. Police said the suspects were taken into custody on receipt of information that movement of some strangers in the area had been noted.
Full story >>

UN human rights officials to visit Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Sunday, 16 September 2007, 03:24 GMT]
Three top Human Rights officials are expected to visit Sri Lanka in the first two weeks of October and December this year to look into human rights issues in Sri Lanka. UNP Special Rapporteaur against Torture, Manfred Nowak, will be in Colombo from October 1 to 8 and High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour from October 8 to13. Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Human Rights of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs), Walter Kaelin, is to visit from December 13 to 21.
Full story >>

2 SLA troopers killed, 7 injured in Manthikai claymore attack

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 September 2007, 14:49 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and 7 soldiers seriously injured in a claymore attack targetted at a SLA convoy 300 meters from the Manthikai Government Hospital along Jaffna-Point Pedro road at 9:00 p.m. Friday, military sources in Jaffna said. The convoy was transporting soldiers from the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) in Naakar Koayil in Thenmaraadchi to the Palaali military base when the attack occurred.
Full story >>

Clashes in Ki'laali seas

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 September 2007, 13:49 GMT]
Liberation Tigers and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) clashed in Ki'laali seas for nearly an hour starting from 8:00 a.m. Saturday, the Palaly military command said. Liberation Tigers said they attacked Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) boats attempting to infiltrate the stretch of seas under LTTE's control, resulting in exchange of fire. The SLN said that they took defensive action to confront LTTE boats entering Ki'laali seas.
Full story >>

Pirapaharan pays homage to Thileepan on 20th anniversary

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 September 2007, 13:11 GMT]
Leader of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Velupillai Pirapaharan, paid homage to Lt. Col. Thileepan (Rasiah Parthipan), at an undisclosed location in Vanni Saturday. Thileepan, LTTE's political wing leader for the Jaffna district, who fasted unto death in a twelve days' campaign putting forward five demands to the Indian government to meet the aspirations of the Tamil people soon after the signing of the Indo-Sri Lankan agreement in 1987.
Full story >>

Auto-driver driver shot dead in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Saturday, 15 September 2007, 00:48 GMT]
Two unidentified gunmen shot dead a three-wheeler driver near the Veeramaakaa'li Amman temple at Ladchuma'nan Thoaddam inside a highly protected area in Point Pedro, Friday morning. The victim, Saundaranayagam Saththiyakanthan, 33, originally from Trincomalee was married to a teacher in Point Pedro.
Full story >>

11 STF troopers killed in four separate incidents in Ampaa'rai - LTTE

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 22:40 GMT]
Eleven Special Task Force (STF) troopers were killed and four others were injured in four separate LTTE attacks in Ampa'rai district on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, LTTE District Political Head of Ampaa'rai, P. Kaviyarasan told media Friday.
Full story >>

7 Tamil youths arrested in Chengkaladi

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 18:12 GMT]
Ea'raavoor police arrested seven Tamil youths in the area in a police search following the grenade attack on the police sentry post along Main Street, Chengkaladi, by an unidentified youth on motorcycle Friday morning, the police said. No one was injured in the attack, the police added.
Full story >>

EPDP member shot dead in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 17:39 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead a member of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP) near the public market building located within Ea'raavoor police division Friday afternoon around 6:00 p.m., the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Ea'raavoor police station said.
Full story >>

2 SLA troops injured in artillery duel in Thenmaraadchi

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 17:27 GMT]
Two Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troopers sustained serious injuries when the SLA and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) exchanged heavy artillery and Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire Friday early morning, the SLA in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Norwegian Tamils protest against Sri Lanka Rights violations

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 12:27 GMT]
Around 200 Norwegian Tamils of Norwegian Tamils Federation (NTF) gathered in front of Norway Foreign Ministry in Oslo Friday between 10:00 to 11:00 a.m, before a scheduled meeting of the Sri Lanka Minister of Human Rights Mahinda Samarasinghe with Norway Foreign Ministry Officials, urging Norway to exert pressure on the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) to immediately stop the ethnic cleansing of Tamils in Sri Lanka, sources in Oslo said. Norwegian Special Envoy to Sri Lanka Peace Process, Jon Hanssen Bauer addressed the demonstrators before receiving a memorandum from the protesters.
Full story >>

Committment to International Law absent in Colombo's media policy- CPA

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 11:36 GMT]
Commenting that the proposed National Media Policy of the Sri Lanka Government fails to make key commitments which are recognised as international standards of law and practice and which have long been demanded by civil society in Sri Lanka, ARTICLE 19 and the Centre for Policy Alternatives urged the government to "either to drop entirely the idea of developing a media policy or to restart the process from the beginning through a broad consultation with interested stakeholders to determine what such a policy should contain."
Full story >>

Australia accords refugee status, but not entry

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 11:29 GMT]
Australia has recognized as refugees under the UN Convention 72 Sri Lankans who were intercepted at sea in February this year. However the refugees will not be allowed into Australia but will have to remain in their holding centre in Nauru until other countries accept them, the government said. Refugee advocates fear the refugees will continue to languish in Nauru as other countries are likely to see them as Australia’s responsibility.
Full story >>

Fisheries Ministry urged to pay compensation to Jaffna Fishermen

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 11:20 GMT]
A demonstration was held in Colombo Wednesday evening in front of the office of the Sri Lankan Fisheries Ministry urging the government to pay a sum of Rupees Five Thousand as monthly relief to fishermen of Jaffna district who have lost their livelihood as they have been prevented from fishing due to security situation. The National Fishermen Co-ordination Forum (NFCF) organized the protest, sources said.
Full story >>

Kanchikudichchi Aaru farmers need assistance- TNA

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 11:15 GMT]
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) urged the Sri Lanka government to pay compensation to affected farmers of Kanchikudichchi Aaru, and to take steps to repair the Kanchikudichchi Aaru Tank, sources in Ampaa'rai said. Mr.S.Chandrakanthan, Ampaa'rai district TNA parliamentarian, has requested that the houses of displaced families located in Thangavelauthapuram and Kanchikudichchi Aaru due to war should be repaired immediately.
Full story >>

SLA, LTTE clash in Kearatheevu

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 07:09 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna said that it troops attacked Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) combatants in the Forward Defence Line (FDL) positions at A'rukuve'li and Kearatheevu area Thursday morning. SLA also claimed that it had recovered weapons in the search conducted in the said areas. LTTE has not released any information about the clash.
Full story >>

SLA reduces curfew hours in Jaffna peninsula

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 05:45 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) authorities in Palaali Military base announced a two hour cut in the curfew, imposed in Jaffna peninsula with effect from Thursday. Curfew in the peninsula will be enforced from 9:00 p.m to 4:30 a.m until further notice, the SLA informed.
Full story >>

Bishop Malcolm Ranjith refutes press reports over his meeting with Rajapaksa

[TamilNet, Friday, 14 September 2007, 01:26 GMT]
Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Malcom, the secretary of the Congregation of Divine Worship of the Vatican, who visited Vanni Thursday to meet Liberation Tigers Political Head S.P. Thamilchelvan, has refuted press reports in Colombo which said that the Bishop had appreciated the Sri Lankan president for his measures to "wipe out terrorism," when he met the SL president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Monday. "I never said I appreciated anything connected with the war. I did not go for the meeting with the President to say such things," Bishop Malcolm dismissed the media reports in Colombo. "I don't appreciate war mongering or any violence," he futher told the reporters in Ki'linochchi.
Full story >>

Tamil civilian abducted at Ragama near Colombo

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 22:02 GMT]
A middle aged Tamil civilian, traveling with his mother from Trincomalee, on the Colombo bound train was abducted by unknown men at Ragama Railway station, 13 km northeast of Colombo, Wednesday early morning.
Full story >>

2 Thenmaraadchi civilians seek protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 18:33 GMT]
Two men sought protection with the Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC), Thursday, due to death threats and several abduction attempts by the Sri Lankan Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitary.
Full story >>

12 Tamil detainees released from Boosa camp

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 17:49 GMT]
Twelve Tamil detainees, six from Mannaar and the other six from Wattala area in Colombo district, were released from Boosa detention camp Wednesday, legal sources in Colombo said. The said detainees were taken into custody several months earlier and sent to Boosa detention camp under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Full story >>

EPDP member shot dead in Vaazhaicheanai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 11:20 GMT]
Unidentified armed men riding in a three-wheeler shot dead Thursday around 11:30 a.m, a member of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), selling 'Thinamurasu' Tamil daily in front of a studio on Vaazhaicheanai Main Street, spraying bullets with a T56 type gun, Vaazhaicheanai police said.
Full story >>

U.S. Air Force medics collaborate with Sri Lankan forces in healing "liberated" East

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 10:38 GMT]
In a press release issued on Thursday, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo said a nine-member United States Air Force (USAF) medics have completed a medical/dental mission in Kappalthu'rai, Eachchilampattu and Vaakarai in "recently-liberated eastern region of Sri Lanka," working alongside "colleagues" in the Sri Lankan armed forces.
Full story >>

Aaiyiththiyamalai IDPs resettled

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 08:09 GMT]
2865 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Aayiththiyamalai area in Batticaloa district, were sent Tuesday and Wednesday in twenty buses to their own areas for resettlement, Batticaloa Government Agent (GA), Sundaram Arumainayagam said.
Full story >>

SLAF bombs Puthukkudiyiruppu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 06:14 GMT]
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers bombed Puthukkudiyiruppu Thursday morning, when the students of Puthukkudiyiruppu Central College were out in the grounds, assembled for morning prayers. Many students fainted in fear while the rest of the students and teachers scattered in panic as 12 aerial bombs exploded with deafening noise which shook the buildings in the school and the town for twenty minutes, between 8:30 and 8:50 a.m.
Full story >>

Urumpiraay Sivakumaran's mother conferred with Naaddupattaa'lar award

[TamilNet, Thursday, 13 September 2007, 00:20 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday posthumously conferred "Naaddu pattaa'lar" (Patriot) title on Mrs Annaledchumi Ponnuthurai, mother of Ponnuththurai Sivakumaran, honouring her for her passionate interest in the Tamil community and the contribution she made for the Tamil cause.
Full story >>

SLN says Tamil Nadu fishermen violated Sri Lanka's maritime sovereignty

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 17:45 GMT]
Ten Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested Tuesday by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) troopers for allegedly violating Sri Lanka's maritime sovereignty by straying into Sri Lanka's waters were ordered to stay out of the sea until September 20 by Mannar District Judge Mr.T.J.Pirapaharan.
Full story >>

Tamil Nadu police arrests Nedumaran for trying to sail food to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 16:42 GMT]
Attempt made by Pazha. Nedumaran, the leader of Tamils Nationalist Movement (TNM), and around 500 of his party members to take essential food items to Jaffna peninsula residents by sea from Nakapaddinam was stopped Wednesday when Tamil Nadu police arrested Nedumaran with his followers, sources in Naakapaddinam said. Nedumaran had earlier announced that he will attempt to take food items across the seas as the Government of India had refused give him permission to send the items donated by people of Tamil Nadu through the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in India.
Full story >>

Tsunami warning issued after earthquake in Sumatra

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 12:29 GMT]
An earthquake has occurred in Southern Sumatra in Indonesia with 8.2 Magnitude with the potential to generate a widespread Tsunami that can affect coastlines across the entire Indian ocean basin, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre. The warning was issued at 11:10 GMT on 12 Sep. The Tsunami could reach Trincomalee at 15:02 GMT (8:32 p.m., local time), Jaffna at 16:25 GMT (9:55 p.m.) and Colombo 15:15 GMT (8:45 p.m.). However, it is not known a Tsunami was generated, the watch is based only on the Earthquake evaluation. Authorities in the region should take appropriate action in response to the possibility of a widespread destructive Tsunami, according to the NOAA warning.
Full story >>

Colombo unwilling or unable to contain Rights violations- HRW

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 11:18 GMT]
During the launch of the Report “Return to War: Human Rights Under Siege” in the European Parliament Tuesday, the Human Rights Watch (HRW), a leading Rights organization based in New York, said after the report was published in the first week of August, disappearances especially in Jaffna have continued, condition of internally displaced have reached alarming levels, climate of impunity continued to prevail, and the Attorney General’s office, have not effectively investigated human rights violations or brought perpetrators to justice. HRW also condemned Colombo's dismissal of international critics as “traitors,” and “terrorist sympathizers.”
Full story >>

Youth shot dead in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 11:11 GMT]
Unidentified armed persons shot dead a Tamil youth, a fisherman at Ward No: 8 in Pe'saalai village in Mannaar district Tuesday night. His body with gunshot injuries was recovered Wednesday morning by villagers. The victim has been identified as Subash Kari Daniel Fernando, 25, a resident of the village, sources said.
Full story >>

Paduvaankarai IDPs' cattle to be appropriated – Batticaloa MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 09:27 GMT]
Sri Lanka Defence Ministry has ordered the transfer of nearly 20 thousand cattle belonging to the Internally Displaced People (IDP) of Paduvaagkarai in Batticaloa, to Polanaruwa National Cattle Development Centre, citing danger to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) camps located on Chengkaladi-Badulla A5 road, Batticaloa Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian Ariyanenthiran said.
Full story >>

Eachchilampaththu refugees complain of forced resettlement –TNA MP

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 08:38 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) forcibly loaded 74 families from Verukal, Eeechilampattu District, into buses September 6th for transport to a jungle area in CHinnakku'lam, Udappukkea'ni, 3 km from Eeechilampattu. The families who were previously housed in Batticaloa transitional shelters communicated their plight to Thurairatnsaingham, a Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian.
Full story >>

SLN abducts 10 Tamil Nadu fishermen on Raamesvaram Sea

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 06:55 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) abducted ten fishermen in two boats Monday on Rameswaram Sea, representatives of the Raamesvaram Fisheries Societies said. Until Tuesday evening there is no information about the ten Tamil Nadu fishermen being produced at any courts in Sri Lanka, according to Raamesvaram sources.
Full story >>

Youth seeks protection at Chaavakachcheari court

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 September 2007, 06:10 GMT]
A youth from Kodikaamam appeared directly at Chaavakachcheari Court Tuesday seeking protection to his life due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed paramilitary men and SLA troops. The magistrate directed the youth to be placed in the protective custody of Jaffna prison with the assistance of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna.
Full story >>

SLA conducts search operation, youth seeks protection with HRC in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 16:28 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers conducted a combined cordon and search operation covering Point Pedro and Valveddiththu'rai areas in Vadamaraadchi from Tuesday early morning until evening, ordering young women and men to gather in the temples in their respective areas where they were subjected to thorough investigation, sources in Vadmaraadchi said. Meanwhile, a youth who escaped abduction during the search sought protection with Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) Tuesday afternoon.
Full story >>

Boosa detainee challenges his arrest

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 14:08 GMT]
The Court of Appeal Monday issued notice on the Officer ­in-Charge of the Wattala Police and the Attorney General to appear in court on October 3 in regard to the bail application filed by a Tamil trader who has been detained in Boosa detention centre in connection with a complaint that he had concealed a claymore mine in a cupboard in his shop, legal sources said.
Full story >>

IDPs resettled in 22 villages in Eachchilampathu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 10:56 GMT]
About ten thousand displaced families from Eachchilampaththu division in Trincomalee district have been resettled in 22 villages located in nine Grama Niladhari divisions. The IDPs fled from their villages to Batticaloa district due to the military operation launched by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) last year, according to Eachchilampathu divisional secretariat sources.
Full story >>

Kumaratunge to visit India

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 10:54 GMT]
Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, Sri Lanka's former president is scheduled to leave for India Tuesday to hold talks with Indian leaders Her decision to visit India was taken after a two hour meeting with Indian High Commissioner Mr.Alok Prasad at her official residence in Colombo, media reports quoting diplomatic sources said.
Full story >>

SLAF Kfirs bomb Ki'linochchi twice

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 07:38 GMT]
Four Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fast attack Kfir fighter jets bombed Vaddakkachchi area in Ki'linochchi district Tuesday morning, first between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m and then at 9:00 a.m, causing panic among students and teachers in schools who fled in fear seeking safety, sources in Ki'linochchi said. Out patients and those admitted in Ki'linochchi hospital too ran away from the hospital premises fearing attacks on the hospital area.
Full story >>

Elderly couple found killed in Koappaay

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 06:42 GMT]
Koappaay police recovered the bodies of a couple Monday, on information received from the neighbours, at Koappaay. The husband's body was recovered from a nearby well while his wife's body was found with deep injuries on the head.
Full story >>

Display price list, Jaffna Magistrate orders traders

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 11 September 2007, 04:27 GMT]
Jaffna District Magistrate R. T. Vignarajah, ordered Monday all traders in Jaffna district to display list of prices of the commodities sold in their shops, before 29 September. The magistrate issued this order as there was an acute shortage of essential goods in the open market while they were available in the black market at exorbitant prices.
Full story >>

Claymore injures 2 policemen in Vavuniyaa

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 18:06 GMT]
Unidentified persons triggered a Claymore device Monday afternoon at Chaa'lampaikku'lam along Vavuniyaa-Mannaar road, seriously injuring two policemen on patrol.
Full story >>

4 bodies found Saturday still in Musali jungle

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 16:55 GMT]
All attempts since Saturday to recover the bodies of four persons lying in the Pichchaivanipanku'lam jungles in Musali division, Mannaar district have proved futile following the Sri Lanka Army's refusal to allow Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) officials in Mannaar town to visit the site.
Full story >>

Accident in Jaffna injures 2 SLA troops

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 16:40 GMT]
A heavy truck and jeep of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) collided at high speed Monday morning at Veambadi Junction in Jaffna, causing serious injuries to two SLA troops inside.
Full story >>

7 civilians seek protection with HRC Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 15:58 GMT]
The seven civilians, with ages ranging from 20 to 34, from the areas of Kodikaamam, Meesaalai, Chavakachcheari, Urumpiraai and Jaffna, sought protection at the Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna from the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries Monday, HRC sources said. HRC officials have made arrangement to place the seven civilians in the protective custody of Jaffna prison.
Full story >>

Nalloor Ther festival draws large number of devotees

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 10:05 GMT]
More than ten thousand devotees attended the Ther (Car) festival Monday conducted at the historic Nalloor Kanthasuvamy Temple. The absence of curfew Sunday night enabled devotees from different parts of Jaffna peninsula to participate in the festival. However, temple administrators said the number of devotees attending the festival was far less than what the festival draws during peace time.
Full story >>

Body with gunshot injuries recovered in Cheddikku'lam

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 05:20 GMT]
Cheddikku'lam police recovered the body of a male with gunshot wounds Monday morning in Cheddikkulam area in Vavuniya district. The victim had been abducted two days ago by unknown armed men who had later shot him dead and tried to burn him, the police said.
Full story >>

SLA said to be behind house burglaries in Nelliyadi

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 September 2007, 01:18 GMT]
Five houses belonging to Tamils inside a high security area fully protected by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sentries were burgled during curfew hours at 8:45 p.m. Saturday, civil society sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Two house owners were injured during the burglary, and cash and valuables with an estimated value of more than Rs 5m were stolen during the incident. Local residents accused SLA soldiers and members of the SLA intelligence wing of complicity in the burglaries, sources said.
Full story >>

SLA removes curfew for Nalloor Ther festival

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 September 2007, 18:44 GMT]
Several thousands devotees converged Sunday at the premises of the historic Nalloor Kandaswamy Temple in Jaffna to attend the Ther festival to be held Monday, following the announcement by the Sri Lanka Military head quarters in Palaaly that the curfew will be lifted Sunday and Monday nights, Temple officials said.
Full story >>

UNP Kandy Declaration calls for immediate general election

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 September 2007, 17:55 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) at its special convention held at Getambe Stadium in Kandy, capital of the central province Sunday afternoon, adopted the "Kandy Declaration" calling for the immediate general election to save the Sri Lanka from anarchy and corruption. Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the UNP presided.
Full story >>

Wickremasinghe to visit India

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 September 2007, 12:51 GMT]
Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, leader of the main opposition United National Party (UNP), is to visit India to hold vital talks with Indian leaders. This follows the visit to India of Sri Lanka Government three-member delegation headed by Mr.Lalith Weeratunge, Secretary to President Mahinda Rajapakse, accompanied by two Rajapakse brothers, Defence Secretary Mr.Gothabaya Rajapakse and Presidential senior advisor Mr.Basil Rajapakse, media reports said.
Full story >>

Muslim youth injured in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 September 2007, 06:50 GMT]
Unidentified armed men opened fire on three Muslim youths Friday around 4:25 p.m on Chavukkadi beach, injuring one of them, Ea'raavoor police said. The youths were on the beach spending time leisurely when the armed men shot at them and beat them with batons.
Full story >>

SLN kills fisherman in Vadamraadchi Sea

[TamilNet, Sunday, 09 September 2007, 05:37 GMT]
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Dvora Fast Attack gunboats attacked fishermen in Vadmaraadchi waters, killing one and destroying two fishing boats, Friday from 7:30 p.m to 12:30 p.m., according to complaints made to Vadamaraadchi East Fishermen Co-operative Federation, General Manger (GM) T. Balasingham said. One fishermen managed to escape from the SLN attack, swimming ashore.
Full story >>

STF trooper killed, 5 injured in Thoppigala explosion

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 21:05 GMT]
One Special Task Force (STF) soldier was killed and five others injured when a bomb hidden inside a van exploded while the soldiers were checking the van in Narakamulla area in Thoppigala at 11:05 a.m. Saturday, sources in Batticaloa said. The injured have been air-lifted by helicopters to Ampaa'rai district hospital. The body of the STF trooper also has been transported to the same hospital for postmortem examinations.
Full story >>

Member of SLA Intelligence wing shot dead in Point Pedro

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 18:44 GMT]
A member of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) intelligence wing was shot dead by armed men believed to be from the Liberation Tigers pistol group in Thaddaatheru area in Point Pedro at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, sources from Point Pedro said. The victim was travelling on the main road in Thaddaatheru when he was shot. The body has been taken to Palaly military camp, according to sources.
Full story >>

LTTE's Rights group draws attention to plight of Tamil people

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 13:42 GMT]
The Office of the LTTE Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, in a detailed report released Saturday before UN Human Rights Council session, drew attention to the human rights violations committed by the Sri Lanka State on the Tamil people, and said that more than 1974 Tamil civilians have been killed and 842 Tamil civilians were either arrested or abducted in the 21 months from November 2005 after Sri Lanka's President Rajapakse came to power. The Rights Group called upon the "international and UN representatives who visit Colombo, to also pay a visit to the Tamil homeland and to find out first hand the ground situation."
Full story >>

27 Tamil schools in Moothoor remain closed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 12:07 GMT]
Twenty seven government Tamil schools in Moothoor education zone located in areas declared by the Sri Lanka Army as high security zone remain closed. About fifty schools in Batticaloa district are also not functioning, as they are being used as shelters to displaced families from Moothoor east division in Trincomalee district, sources said.
Full story >>

US Patriot Act provisions struck down by NewYork Judge

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 02:12 GMT]
Southern District of New York Judge Victor Marrero Thursday ruled unconstitutional a provision in the Patriot Act authorizing the FBI to issue a form of administrative subpoena, called a National Security Letter (NSL), to demand e-mail and telephone data from private companies for counterterrorism investigations, violates the 1st Amendment and constitutional provisions on the separation of powers, legal sources in US close to the court ruling said Thursday.
Full story >>

Tamil youth shot dead in Moothoor

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 01:46 GMT]
Unidentified armed men came in a motorbike Thursday night shot dead Tamil youth at Manatsenai in Moothoor division. The victim had been riding in a motorbike when he was shot, Moothoor police sources said.
Full story >>

Mu'l'likku'lam villagers forced to walk 20km seeking safety

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 01:22 GMT]
Residents of Mu'l'likku'lam, a remote village in the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) occupied Musali division in Mannaar district, had to walk more than 20 km braving the SLA occupied Chilaavaththu'rai, seeking safety, and to have access to basic living needs including food. The local level government officials at Chilaavaththu'rai transported the refugees to Murungkan where they have been housed at the Government High School.
Full story >>

SL Ministers visit PTA detainees in Boosa

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 01:01 GMT]
A delegation of Sri Lankan Ministers and high-ranking police officials visited 118 Tamil detainees arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), now held in the Boosa Detention Center situated in the Southern province, Friday morning.
Full story >>

Ex-Policeman shot dead in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 08 September 2007, 00:12 GMT]
An ex- policeman was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at Ezhuththoor in Mannar district around 6:15 p.m. Friday. Mohan, a Tamil, originally from Batticaloa and married in Mannaar, was at his home when gunmen called him by name, and when he responded shot him at point blank range and escaped.
Full story >>

Elderly teashop owner shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 19:38 GMT]
Unidentified armed men shot dead an elderly teashop owner Friday around 5:45 p.m in Kaithadi, an area under Sri Lanka Army (SLA) surveillance 24 hours, in his teashop located close to A9 land route to Jaffna.
Full story >>

Heavy artillery exchange at Naakarkoayil FDL

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 16:22 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lanka Army (SLA) exchanged heavy artillery fire for nearly 3 hours at Naakarkoayil Front Defence Lines (FDL) in the northern province, Friday morning.
Full story >>

Pressure mine kills 3 civilians in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 13:44 GMT]
Three civilians traveling in a tractor lost their lives Friday around 10:30 a.m in a pressure mine explosion in Ea'raavoor police division along Vanthaa'rumoolai-Uppoadai road. Ea'ravoor police recovered the bodies and handed them over to Batticaloa Teaching hospital for post mortem examination and inquest
Full story >>

Ampaa'rai Home Guard commits Suicide

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 11:56 GMT]
A home guard committed suicide by shooting himself Thursday around 3:00 p.m, after beginning his shift at the Va'laththaapiddy check point in Sammaanthu'rai, the Ampaa'rai police division said.
Full story >>

Youth seeks protection with HRC, civilian missing in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 07:19 GMT]
A youth from Nelliadi in Vadamaraadchi, due to death threats allegedly from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) backed armed paramilitary men, surrendered himself directly in Jaffna Court Thursday where the magistrate, Mr. R. T. Vignarajah, directed the youth to be placed in the protective custody of Jaffna Prison. Meanwhile, a civilian from Kodikaamam is reported missing since he left home August 2, according to a complaint by his wife to Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna.
Full story >>

Mu'l'likku'lam villagers face starvation

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 05:29 GMT]
More than 500 Tamil civilians belonging to around 195 families in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) sieged Mu'l'likku'lam, a remote village in SLA occupied Musali division in Mannaar, have been sending SOS message through the few wireless phones in operation that all outside links were cut with their village for five days since September 01 and all food supplies have gone dry.
Full story >>

IDPs undergo hardship in Moothoor welfare centres

[TamilNet, Friday, 07 September 2007, 02:26 GMT]
About thousand persons from three hundred displaced families sheltered in welfare centres in Killiveddy and Pattithidal have been undergoing untold hardships to prepare their meals due to the non-availability of firewood and kerosene for cooking, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

India, Sri Lanka form joint defence panel - report

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 18:15 GMT]
India and Sri Lanka have formed a high-level, joint defence panel following a meeting in New Delhi between top officials of the two countries on September 3 and 4, the Hindustan Times reported Wednesday quoting a release from the Sri Lankan Presidential Secretariat.
Full story >>

2 Tamil civilians abducted in Trincomalee

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 17:18 GMT]
Unidentified armed men in a vehicle abducted two Tamil civilians from Uppuveli, a suburb in Trincomalee Wednesday night, according to complaints made by their relatives to Uppuve'li police.
Full story >>

Young woman, youth, shot dead in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 11:35 GMT]
Two unknown armed men on motor cycle shot dead a young woman Thursday around 9:15 a.m, at Palaali road in Thirunelveali, in the High Security Zone (HSZ) of Sri Lanka Army (SLA), and in a separate shooting in front of Jaffna University Medical Faculty Thursday around 9:00 a:m, armed men on motor cycle shot dead a youth at close range and seriously injured one of his companions, in the same area in Jaffna. Meanwhile Koappaay police recovered the body of an elderly man hacked to death Wednesday night, found in Koa'ndaavil east.
Full story >>

Final group of IDPs resettled in Eachchilampaththu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 11:01 GMT]
About 1150 persons of 290 displaced Tamil families were brought from Batticaloa district via Vaakarai by buses with police escort Thursday for resettlement in their villages in Eachchilampaththu division in Trincomalee. They are being sheltered in welfare centres before being sent to their own villages, divisional secretariat sources said.
Full story >>

Village officials warned not to harass public on obtaining IDs

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 06:54 GMT]
Point Pedro Magistrate issued strict directives Wednesday to Village Officers (Grama Sevakas) in Vadamaraadchi not to harass the public and the students with additional expenses and undue inconveniences in obtaining the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Special Military Identity Cards (SMIC), the newly introduced compulsory SMIC for all residents of Jaffna peninsula above the age of ten, sources in Point Pedro said.
Full story >>

4 Thenmaradchi youths seek protection with HRC

[TamilNet, Thursday, 06 September 2007, 02:12 GMT]
Four youths aged below 30, from Chavakachcheari Town, Meesaalai, Vara'ni and Madduvil surrendered at the HRC seeking protection from Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and SLA-backed paramilitaries Wednesday, HRC officials said. The number of Tamil youths seeking protection at the Jaffna HRC from Thenmaraadchi region in Jaffna district, is on the rise, sources close to the HRC said.
Full story >>

Colombo aims to carve out Sinhala district between North and East - Sampanthan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 19:46 GMT]
The Government of Sri Lanka is giving in for the demands of the extreme nationalist Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU), with its plans afoot to carve out a Sinhala district between Trincomalee district in the Eastern Province and Mullaiththeevu in the Northern Province, aiming to split the geographical contiguity of the Tamil homeland, charged R. Sampanthan, the senior Tamil parliamentarian and the parliamentary group leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), addressing the Sri Lankan parliament Wednesday. The attempt to create a Sinhala district would spoil the chances for a negotiated settlement, Mr. Sampanthan further warned.
Full story >>

Ampaa'rai gets €78 million EU fund: priority for transportation links

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 12:39 GMT]
The Head of European Union's Delegation to Sri Lanka, Julian Wilson, on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government Agent of Ampaa'rai, Sunil Kannangara, initiating EU-AMPARA PARTNERSHIP programme. More than half part of the funding is allocated to reconstruct the roads in the district. The funds are channelled through eight partners working with local authorities and Sri Lankan ministries.
Full story >>

Account freeze by Sri Lanka violates UN Declaration- TRO

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 10:46 GMT]
Freezing of Bank Accounts of the Tamils Rehabilitation Organization (TRO) in Colombo for more than one year without any charges being filed, and denying the TRO "day in court" to defend against the "false allegations," are violations of Declaration on the "Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly's Resolution 36/55 of 25 November 1981," said TRO officials in a media release issued Tuesday.
Full story >>

STF arrests Tamil youth in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 10:41 GMT]
Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF) arrested a young bicycle mechanic in Batticaloa town for carrying bicycle ball bearings, Tuesday around 4:30 p.m and handed him over to Batticaloa police. The youth was in possession of unusually high number of ball bearings, according to the STF, police said.
Full story >>

SLAF charges money to fly Nalloor devotees to Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 09:02 GMT]
Amidst thousands of Chaiva devotees out of Jaffna peninsula unable to attend the annual festival of the Historical Nalloor Kanthasuvaami temple in Jaffna due to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) closure of the A9 land route, the devotees were charged 6,800 rupees per person by the Sri Lanka Air Force, to fly from Ratmalana in Colombo to Jaffna in a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) aircraft, sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Amnesty calls for impartial, international investigations on escalating Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 08:02 GMT]
"There are grounds to fear a return to a pattern of the security forces involvement in extrajudicial killing of journalists and others," the Amnesty International noted in a public statement issued on Tuesday charging that the national Human Rights monitoring mechanisms, including the Commission of Inquiry (CoI), lacked capacity to launch prompt, impartial and independent investigations. The Amnesty called on the members of the United Nations Human Rights Council, before the sixth session of the Council, scheduled to be held between 10 - 28 September, to exert pressure on Colombo to invite an international monitoring mechanism to independently investigate rights violations in the country.
Full story >>

2 mothers, 6 children placed in a Christian Institution in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 06:58 GMT]
Jaffna district Magistrate R. T. Vignarajah directed Tuesday Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Jaffna Commander Maj. Gen. G. A. Chandrasri and Jaffna district Police Commissioner to provide full protection to two mothers with three children each, placed in a Christian Home for Women and Children in Irupaalai. The two women with their husbands and children had sought protection with Human Rights Commission (HRC) Jaffna Monday due to death threats allegedly from SLA backed paramilitary armed men. They were produced in Jaffna Court Tuesday.
Full story >>

60 civilians seek protection with HRC Jaffna in 2 months

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 02:01 GMT]
Around sixty civilians including youths, young women and family men have sought protection with Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) due to death threats from Sri Lanka Army (SLA)and SLA-backed paramilitaries, in July and August, HRC sources said. Jaffna Prison is over crowded, and with more persons requesting protection, HRC officials are looking for alternative ways to provide safety for those seeking help, civil sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

Civilian shot, injured in Kokkaddichcholai

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 05 September 2007, 01:04 GMT]
An unknown gunman shot and seriously injured a Tamil civilian riding a bicycle at Kokkaddichcholai in the Paduvaankarai region in Batticaloa district at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday. The gunmen escaped after shooting at the victim.
Full story >>

12 Muslim houses torched in Akkaraippattu

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 14:28 GMT]
A gang of ten Sinhala thugs armed with sharp instruments entered through the borders of Oluvil, and Pa'l'lakkaadu and set fire to 12 Muslim homes in Ashraff town in Akkaraippattu police division in Amparai district Monday evening around 6:00 p.m., local residents said.
Full story >>

6 Tamils reported missing in Verukal area

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 10:36 GMT]
Six Tamil civilians who went to Verukal river basin to collect honey and fishing on August 30 are reported missing, according to a complaint lodged with the Serunuwara police station by a Tamil civilian who is said to have escaped. Seven civilians had gone to the Verukal river basin to collect and honey and fishing.
Full story >>

STF shoots dead 2 youths in Ea'raavoor

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 10:32 GMT]
Sri Lankan Special Task Force (STF) commandos shot and killed two youths at Mo'rakkoddaagncheanai in Ea'raavoor in Batticaloa district Tuesday morning around 10:30.
Full story >>

SL Parliament to debate on North East situation

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 05:38 GMT]
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) is to move for a full-day debate on the current political and military situation in the North and East when parliament resumes sessions on Wednesday. Leaders of political parties representing in parliament have agreed to have a debate on a request made by Mr.R.Sampanthan, TNA parliament group leader, parliamentary sources said.
Full story >>

Jaffna students to participate in National Sports meet in Colombo

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 04 September 2007, 02:43 GMT]
The first group of students from Jaffna will travel by ship to Trincomalee and from there to Colombo by land to participate in the National Sports meet to be held in Colombo, according to Education officials in Jaffna. The officials met with Sri Lanka Army (SLA) authorities in Palaali Head Quarters on this matter before making the announcement, Monday.
Full story >>

14 surrender to Jaffna HRC seeking protection

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 20:49 GMT]
Amidst continuing killings, abductions and disappearances in Jaffna peninsula, 14 more civilians have sought protection with Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) Monday due to death threats issued allegedly by paramilitary armed men operating with Sri Lanka Army (SLA).
Full story >>

Ex-Karuna cadre shot dead in internal fight

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 15:19 GMT]
Armed men, alleged to be Karuna group members, shot dead Sunday around 7:30 p.m, a former member of Karuna group at Koththiyaapula in Vavu'natheevu police division. The killers, arriving at the victim's house, had called him out and tried to take him away for interrogation. They shot him dead when he tried to escape.
Full story >>

SLA artillery fire kills one, injures another in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 12:26 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Monday around 1.30 p.m. launched artillery fire from government held area towards Adamban, a village in LTTE held territory. Sellathurai Yohan, 34, a father of one child was killed and 37 year-old S.Yohanathan, father of two children was seriously injured, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

NGOs supply relief to IDPs in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 12:21 GMT]
Several non-governmental organizations are providing cooked meals and other relief materials to displaced families sheltered in Naanaaddan since the military operation launched in Musali division in Mannaar district, by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). The families have been displaced from Vankaalai, Valkaipattaankandal, Nanthuvaliku'lam, Kollanku'lam, Pontheivukandal, Sooriyakaddai, Olimadu, Puthukathanku'lam, Eruviddan, Achchanku'lam and Murunkan in the Musali division, sources said.
Full story >>

Abducted youth recovered dead, SLA trooper killed in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 07:54 GMT]
The body of a youth abducted from Ariyaalai in Jaffna Sunday night has been recovered from the same area with knife injuries Monday morning. Meanwhile, unidentified persons shot dead Sunday night a Sri Lanka Army (SLA) trooper in a sentry point at Cha'ndilipaay in Valikaamam. SLA and the police, in a joint cordon and search operation launched immediately after the killing, have detained a youth for interrogation.
Full story >>

Family of 5 seeks protection with Jaffna HRC

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 06:51 GMT]
Parents and three children under thirteen of a family, sought protection with Jaffna Human Rights Commission (HRC) Saturday, due to death threats issued allegedly by paramilitary armed men operating with Sri Lanka Army (SLA). Madduvil area in Thenmaraadchi, in which the family lives, has become a place where many civilians have been killed in the recent past.
Full story >>

4500 civilians displaced from Musali to Naanaaddaan in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 September 2007, 00:54 GMT]
More than 4500 civilians were forced to flee Musali division in Mannnaar district Saturday when Sri Lanka Army (SLA) moved in, without any direct confrontation, into the area located south of Mannaar-Madawachchi Road where Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) were known to have been present in pockets of areas. No Forward Defence Lines (FDLs) were maintained by either warring party in the said areas. The coastal villages located between Mannaar and Puththa'lam. Naanaaddaan MV school and Don Bosco technical college where 1136 IDPs of 327 families were residing have been surrounded by the SLA and the Sri Lankan police.
Full story >>

Civilian casualties in SLA Musali operation increase to 13

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 20:12 GMT]
Highly decomposed bodies of two children, four women including a 19-year-old girl, and four men, were identified among the twleve civilian victims killed in Sri Lanka Army Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) attack on Saturday at Paasiththen'ral in Musali division in Mannaar district. Two bodies are yet to be identified.
Full story >>

SLA soldier killed during bomb clearing operation

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 16:54 GMT]
A Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldier searching for explosives in Pulipaaynthakal, Kiraan, Vaazhaichcheanai police division in Batticaloa district was killed Sunday at 12:30 p.m when a hidden land mine exploded, Vaazhaichchenai police said.
Full story >>

Hospital employee abducted in Ninthaavoor

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 13:19 GMT]
Gunmen, suspected to be Karuna group members, abducted an employee of Ninthaavoor hospital Saturday evening at Kalladi Uppoadai area in Batticaloa district, according to a complaint made at Batticaloa police station.
Full story >>

Couple shot, injured in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 12:59 GMT]
Unidentified armed men, alleged to be from Karuna group, shot and injured a farmer and his wife Saturday around 7:45 p.m, in an attempt to abduct the farmer from his house at Kannangkudaa area in Batticaloa district, sources in Batticaloa said.
Full story >>

UNP to move no-confidence motion on Rajapakse government

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 12:22 GMT]
The main opposition United National Party (UNP) is to submit a no-confidence motion against government headed by Sri Lanka's President Mahinda Rajapakse when parliament meets on Tuesday, parliamentary sources in Colombo said. The political affairs committee of the UNP took this decision at a meeting held on Wednesday following one-to-one talks between former president Ms Chandrika Kumaratunge, and Mr.Ranil Wickremasinghe, UNP leader.
Full story >>

Home guard shoots dead police sergeant in Negombo

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 12:20 GMT]
A police sergeant was shot dead by a home guard Saturday near a railway crossing in Negombo town in the northwestern province. Both were on patrol duty and the home guard fired at the police sergeant and fled from the area after a heated argument, police sources said.
Full story >>

Claymore attack on STF in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 12:12 GMT]
Unidentified persons triggered a Claymore device Saturday around 11:00 a.m targeting a Sri Lanka special Task Force (STF) unit at Ma'ndapaththadi in Ka'n'nangkudaa, Batticaloa district, sources in Batticaloa said. Senior Superintendent of Police, H. M. P. Herath, said no one was injured. Residents of the area, however, said that an STF trooper and a civilian were injured in the explosion.
Full story >>

4 Tamil civilians arrested in Maligaawatte

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 06:18 GMT]
Four Tamil civilians were arrested Sunday morning in a combined cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army and Police at Maligawatte, a suburb in Colombo city. About 1800 houses were searched in the operation that lasted for about four hours, sources said.
Full story >>

SLA orders government officials to resume census work in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 06:15 GMT]
In a meeting held Saturday within Palaly High Security Zone (HSZ), Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Jaffna Commander Major General G.A.Chandrasri issued strict orders to the Government Agent (GA) of Jaffna and to the District Secretaries (DS) to commence immediately the task of compiling of Census and Statistics of all civilians in the peninsula.
Full story >>

13 Tamil youths arrested in Gampola

[TamilNet, Sunday, 02 September 2007, 05:16 GMT]
121 persons including 13 Tamil youths were taken into custody in a combined cordon and search operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and police in eleven police divisions in Gampola district Sunday from morning till dusk.
Full story >>

Food crisis in Jaffna worsens

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 September 2007, 21:35 GMT]
Contrary to pronouncements by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) and the government officials claiming that ship loads of food items are being sent to the North, an acute shortage of essential items prevails in the peninsula, civil society sources in Jaffna said.
Full story >>

SLA uses Muslim villagers as human shields in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 September 2007, 12:33 GMT]
Around fifty Muslim families in the Muslim villages in Musali division in Mannnar are being used as human shields by the Sri Lanka Army that entered the area Saturday morning. Meanwhile, the Tamil civilians in Mu'l'likku'lam village, are moving to LTTE controlled area, sources in Achchangku'lam in Naanaaddaan division said. The area concerned is accessible to both LTTE and SLA but there has been no resistance from the LTTE, the sources added.
Full story >>

SLA denies access to Muslim cultivators' farmland

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 September 2007, 12:20 GMT]
Hundreds of predominantly Muslim farmers in Kinniya division in Trincomalee district are blocked from cultivating nearly four thousand hectares of paddy fields lying in Theeneri and Ka'ndalkaadu after these areas came under the control of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) following recent military operation, civil society sources said.
Full story >>

DPU Claymore kills 9 fleeing civilians in Mannaar

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 September 2007, 07:09 GMT]
Nine civilians fleeing from a Sri Lanka Army offensive towards Chilaavaththu'rai in Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE) controlled territory in Musali, Mannaar, were killed and six including children wounded in a Claymore attack carried out by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Deep Penetration Unit (DPU) Saturday at 8:35 a.m. Two ambulances sent from Mannaar hospital to transport the wounded were blocked at Chi'rukka'ndal SLA camp. It has taken more than 6 hours to transport the wounded towards Mannaar hospital through a separate route via Achchangku'lam, medical sources said.
Full story >>

SLA collects details of mobile phones in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 September 2007, 00:04 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) started collecting the details of the mobile phones and their owners in Jaffna peninsula. The SLA has already collected the details of the motor vehicles in the peninsula, and at present is collecting the details of the bicycles. SLA has also started issuing military identity cards to all persons above ten years.
Full story >>