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Sri Lanka Timeline ­ Year 2008

January 1 The UNP Member of Parliament, T. Maheshwaran, was shot at and injured by suspected ‘pistol gang’cadres of the LTTE while he was offering prayers inside Sivam Kovil (Temple of Lord Shiva) at Kotahena inthe capital Colombo. The Parliamentarian, however, succumbed to his injuries. One of the nine morecivilians wounded in the incident also died of his injuries. The Kotahena police claimed that the suspect, aresident of Gurunagar in Jaffna, was shot at and injured in retaliatory fire by Maheswaran's securitypersonnel and is under police custody.

The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said that the LTTE is under pressure due to a sharpdecline in recruiting cadres and acute shortage of arms and ammunition.

January 2 The Sri Lanka government decided to withdraw from the CFA with the LTTE. At the Cabinet meeting, PrimeMinister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake proposed to annul the CFA, signed in February 22, 2002, betweenthen United National Front government and the LTTE, government spokesperson Minister KeheliyaRambukwella said. "The Government decided to officially withdraw from the Ceasefire Agreement since itis futile to continue with the Ceasefire with no indication that LTTE is willing to enter the peace path," theMinister said, adding further, "The Ceasefire has been violated by the LTTE more than 10,000 times. TheCabinet decision will be put into practice by using the terms and conditions of the Ceasefire Agreementitself."

Four persons were killed and over 20 injured in a powerful bomb blast in Colombo. The Defence Ministrysaid the blast which occurred at about 9:30am opposite the Nippon Hotel, targeted an army bus carryingsoldiers.

At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and 30 others injured when troops launched two separate attacks ona LTTE bunker line at Kilaly in the Jaffna district. Two soldiers were also killed and six others sustainedinjuries during the exchange of fire. Five LTTE bunkers were destroyed in the incident.

Troops entered the LTTE bunker lines in the Vaiyaththukulam area of Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants. While one soldier was injured in the encounter, the troops destroyed one bunker.

In the Umayaratuvarankulam area of Vavuniya district, troops destroyed a LTTE bunker, killing fourmilitants.

The LTTE militants lobbed a hand grenade at a STF foot patrol in the Thirithilana area of Amparadistrict without causing any fatalities. The STF retaliated and killed three militants.

January 3 At least six LTTE militants were killed and more than a dozen injured when troops stormed the outfit’sbunker line at Pallikuli, west of Adampan, in the Mannar district. One of the seven soldiers wounded in theincident later succumbed to his injuries. Six LTTE bunkers were completely destroyed by the troops.

Troops in the Pallikkulam area of Vavuniya district launched an attack on a LTTE bunker line andcompletely destroyed one bunker, killing four militants while injuring another. Four soldiers also sustainedinjuries in the incident.

Troops observed an infiltration attempt of the LTTE militants into the security forces held areas west ofPalamoddai in the Vavuniya district and launched counter fire killing at least four militants.

The government’s decision to abrogate the CFA was based on a policy decision and the doors are yet wideopen for a peaceful and negotiated political solution to the ethnic conflict, said Cabinet spokesperson andMedia and Information Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.

The government officially conveyed to Norway its decision to pull out of the CFA. Foreign MinisterRohitha Bogollagama handed a letter to Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, saying that thegovernment was withdrawing from the agreement.

January 4 Six LTTE militants were killed in separate encounters Vavuniya and Mannar.

Six LTTE militants were killed after troops stormed the outfit’s bunker line in the Nagarkovil and Muhamalaiareas of Jaffna district. Four soldiers were injured during the encounter.

Three LTTE cadres were killed during an armed clash between troops and militants in theMullikulam area of Mannar district.

January 5 Chief of the "Liberation Tigers Military Intelligence", self­styled Col. Charles a.k.a. ShanmuganathanRavishankar, was killed in a "random claymore attack" by the Sri Lanka Army’s Deep Penetration Unit atPallamadu in the Mannar district. Charles, who has been in charge of internal intelligence within the ranksof the LTTE ground forces and led an external operations corps and regular combat force that has beendeployed in Mannar district, was killed along with three LTTE "lieutenants" in the ambush while they weretraveling in a van between Iluppaikkadavai and Pallamadu at 3:10 p.m. Confirming the news, the Sri Lanka

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Defence Ministry said that Charles was deputy to Pottu Amman, the chief of the LTTE’s intelligence wing.

At least 20 LTTE cadres were reported killed and a large number of other cadres were injured following araid by the troops on a bunker line of the outfit at Parappakandal in the Mannar district.

Six LTTE militants were killed in the Adampan area of Mannar district. Two bunkers were neutralised.Intercepted LTTE radio communication later revealed that two more cadres were killed.

Five LTTE militants were killed by troops during an encounter in the Kutinchankulam area of Vavuniyadistrict.

Troops in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district confronted a group of LTTE militants and killedthree of them.

January 6 Troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter at Kaduruvitankulam in the Vavuniya district.

Troops launched an attack towards the LTTE bunker line north of A­9 at Muhamalai in the Jaffna district andkilled four militants. While two LTTE bunkers were also destroyed, an unspecified number of militants werereported injured in the incident.

During an encounter at Pallikkulam in the Vavuniya district, troops killed three LTTE militants.

Three LTTE militants were killed by troops during a clash at Pandivirichchankulam in the Vavuniyadistrict.

January 7 At least seven LTTE militants were killed as troops foiled their attempt to infiltrate into the security force’sFDL at Muhamalai in the Jaffna district.

Three LTTE bunkers were also destroyed. Troops at Talaivankulam in the Vavuniya districtconfronted a group of LTTE militants and killed four of them.

Three LTTE militants were killed in the general area of Kuchchaveli near Trincomalee when thesailors observed LTTE movement in the area.

January 8 Suspected LTTE militants killed the non­Cabinet Minister for Nation Building, D.M. Dissanayake, in aclaymore mine blast near Rukmani Devi junction at Ja­ela while he was proceeding towards Colombo toattend the parliament session. A personal bodyguard of the Minister, identified as K.P. Rathnayaka, alsosuccumbed to his injuries in the hospital. 13 people, including seven civilians, were injured in the incident.

Troops killed six LTTE militants in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district when the militants were trying toenter the military­held areas.

Troops killed four militants in the Periyathampane area of the Vavuniya district when the latter triedto confront troops in the area after firing a few shots towards them.

January 9 The LTTE eastern leader Shanker was shot dead by the STF personnel at Shaukade in the Batticaloadistrict. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that Shanker who was spotted by the STFpersonnel on patrol at Shaukade, between the Sathurukanda and Eravur areas, opened fire towards themand was shot dead in the retaliatory fire.

At least 19 LTTE militants were killed and over 30 injured during clashes between troops and the militantsin the Parappakandal area of Mannar district where troops further consolidated their positions capturing anarea of about one kilometer covering north of Parappakandal.

10 LTTE militants, including a leader named Kalanadan, were killed when troops confronted a group of theoutfit’s militants in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district. One soldier was also injured in the incident.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured during clashesbetween the militants and troops in the Parappakandal and Periyakulam areas of Mannar district.

In a clash between the two sides at Chettukulam in the Vavuniya district, troops killed five LTTE militantsand captured one bunker of the outfit. Three soldiers sustained injuries due to the explosion of anti­personnel mines during the clash.

Five LTTE militants were killed in two separate incidents in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

Troops at Kutinchankulam in the Vavuniya district confronted a group of LTTE militants and killed three ofthem. Four soldiers sustained injuries during the exchange of fire.

Troops attacked a LTTE stronghold in the jungle off Janakapura in the Vavuniya district and killed threemilitants.

Three LTTE cadres were killed and two others injured by troops during an encounter in the areawest of Mullikulam in the Mannar district.

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January 10 Troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Parappakandal area of Mannar district and killed at leastfive militants.

Troops killed five LTTE militants during an attack launched in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and several others injured by troops when they repulsed an LTTE attack inthe Parappakandal area of Vavuniya district. Four soldiers sustained injuries in the incident site.

A US District Court in Maryland sentenced a Sri Lankan to 57 months in prison and three years ofsupervised release for conspiracy to provide arms, ammunition and other military materiel to the LTTE. Thesentence was imposed on Thirunavukarasu Varatharasa, a Sri Lankan resident in the US.

The LTTE is one of the most dangerous and deadly extremist outfits in the world and the worldshould be concerned about the outfit as they had ‘inspired’ networks worldwide, including the al­Qaeda in Iraq, said the FBI. In a January 10 report, posted on its website under the title "Taming theTigers," the FBI alleged that the LTTE had perfected the use of suicide bombers, invented thesuicide belt, pioneered the use of women in suicide attacks, killed some 4,000 persons in the pasttwo years alone and assassinated two world leaders — the only terrorist group to do so. "Needlessto say, the Tamil Tigers are among the most dangerous and deadly extremists in the world. Formore than three decades, the group has launched a campaign of violence and bloodshed in SriLanka, the island republic off the southern coast of India. Its ultimate goal: to seize control of thecountry from the Sinhalese ethnic majority and create an independent Tamil State," the report said.

January 11 At least 13 LTTE militants, including three female cadres, were killed in a pre­dawn raid carried out bytroops on an LTTE bunker line in the Parappakandal area of Mannar district. Four bunkers were alsodestroyed in the raid.

Troops after observing two groups of LTTE militants in the area north of Villattikulam in the Vavuniya districtlaunched an attack on them, killing 13 militants. While six militants were killed and at least one injured inthe first attack, troops killed seven more militants and injured nine others in the second attack.

Troops attacked and destroyed an LTTE bunker in the Karampaikkulam area of Mannar district, killing eightmilitants and injuring several others.

Eight LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured by troops as they repulsed a militant attack in thearea west of Puthukulam in the Mannar district. Four soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Troops attacked an LTTE bunker line at Palamoddai in the Vavuniya district and killed six militants.

Troops operating ahead of the FDL in the Periyapandirichchan area of Vavuniya district confronted groupof LTTE militants and killed at least five of them. About four hours after the incident, terrorists fired mortarand artillery towards the troops, injuring 13 soldiers.

Troops launched two separate attacks on LTTE bunkers in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killedfive militants, including one militant leader. Three bunkers were also destroyed in the incident.

The Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardana said that the abrogation of the CFA will not affectthe foreign aid flow as the LTTE has been perpetrating terrorist activities even though thegovernment tried its best to protect it. He informed that outfit has violated the CFA 3,743 timesaccording to the reports of the SLMM.

January 12 At least 15 LTTE militants were killed during a fierce gun battle that erupted between militants and troops atPallikuli in the Mannar district. One soldier was killed and five others were injured during the clash.

Troops in three separate incidents moved forward and destroyed three bunkers of the LTTE in theMuhamalai, Nagarkovil and Kilaly areas of Jaffna district and killed six militants. Two soldiers were alsoinjured during the incidents.

An LTTE bunker was fired upon by troops in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. While four militantswere killed, one soldier sustained injuries during the clash.

During clashes that erupted between the two sides at Palamoddai in the Vavuniya district, threeLTTE militants were killed and two others injured by troops.

January 13 Nine LTTE militants were killed and eight others wounded during clashes between the two sides in thearea west of Parappakandal in Mannar district. Two soldiers were also killed and 15 others sustainedinjuries in the exchange of fire. Troops also captured nine LTTE bunkers.

Troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter in the area east of Mantai in the Mannar district.

An LTTE bunker ahead of the Kilaly FDL in the Jaffna district was completely destroyed by troops and threemilitants killed.

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Three LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured when a confrontation eruptedbetween the two sides at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district.

Troops clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Kutinchankulam area of Mannar district and killedthree of them.

Troops captured one LTTE bunker in the Periyapantrichurichchan area of Vavuniya district andsubsequently recovered the dead bodies of three LTTE militants, including one decomposed female deadbody.

One soldier was killed during clashes in the Parikariperiyakulam area of Vavuniya district. Though troopsinflicted heavy casualties on the LTTE, the details are yet to be ascertained.

The Japanese peace envoy Yasushi Akashi arrived in Colombo to hold talks with the government and toassess the impact of the decision of the government to withdraw from the 2002 CFA.

In a strongly­worded statement the Tokyo Co­Chairs of Sri Lanka (Norway, Japan, U.S. and theE.U.) backing continuation of Norway’s role as the official peace facilitator as well as asked thegovernment to provide the Co­Chairs and Norway access to the LTTE in Kilinochchi.

January 14 The LTTE cadres triggered off a powerful claymore mine targeting one civil vehicle moving in theKudakachchikudi area of Vavuniya district. Two army soldiers and the driver of the vehicle werekilled in the explosion while three soldiers and another civilian were injured.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by troops during two separate encounters in the Nagarkovil andMuhamalai areas of Jaffna district.

During an encounter between the two sides in the Parikariperiyakulam area of Vavuniya district, the troopskilled five LTTE militants.

Five LTTE militants were killed by troops during sporadic clashes in the Periyapantrichurichchan, north ofVillattikulam, Kattikulam and Kutinchankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed during an exchange of fire with army troops ahead of the Kokkutoduvai FDL(Forward Defence Line) in the Vavuniya district.

Troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and reportedlykilled three of them. One soldier was injured in this incident.

January 15 Troops attacked and captured one LTTE bunker killing at least four militants in the Periyapantrichurichchanarea of Vavuniya district.

A group of LTTE militants who were moving away from their defence line in the area south of Muhamalai inthe Jaffna district were attacked by troops. Three militants were killed and one of their bunkers wasdestroyed.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, troops killedthree LTTE militants and injured two others.

The Sri Lankan military spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Deutsche Presse­Agentur thatthe military wants to destroy the LTTE and conclude 25 years of war after the cease­fire ends on January16. He said the military was already putting pressure on the LTTE at various fronts in the North, and added,"If we continue like this we will be able to defeat the LTTE."

The LTTE said that they will never be defeated despite Sri Lankan authorities vowing to wipe themout within months. The head of the outfit’s political wing, P. Nadesan, told BBC that the LTTE hasexperienced similar statements during their 30­year old struggle against Sri Lankan state. Denyingthat the outfit is reverting to guerrilla tactics as it is losing the war, he asserted, "We will neverrevert to guerilla warfare. We are a conventional force. We will launch attacks on military targets butwe will not target civilians." He also denied accusations that his organisation forcefully recruitscivilians for combat and said, "No. People, they like to join us. We never force the people. LTTE isa people's organisation."

January 16 At least 27 civilians, including some school children and women, aboard a Central Transport Busproceeding to the Buttala town of Moneragala district, were killed and 66 others injured in a claymore mineexplosion triggered by the LTTE in the Helagama area near Ella road. The bus was simultaneously firedupon by the militants immediately after the claymore mine explosion.

A group of four LTTE militants, allegedly scurrying back into the jungles minutes after triggering theclaymore mine explosion targeting the passenger bus, reportedly shot dead five farmers in their paddy­fields at Dambeyaya in the Heentenna area.

The LTTE leader for Trincomalee south, Arichelvam, who was wanted for numerous killings and criminalactivities in the east, was shot dead by the troops at Pachchanoor.

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The Sri Lanka government said it has decided to eliminate LTTE chief V. Prabhakaran to bringpeace, while maintaining that it was still open to negotiations with the rebels. "If Prabhakaran isready to take the white flag, we will leave some window open to consider that offer. Otherwise wehave decided to eliminate him to bring peace in Sri Lanka," said defence spokesman KeheliyaRambukwella.

January 17 At least 10 civilians, including two home guards, were shot dead by the LTTE militants at Hambegamuwa inthe Thanamalwila area of Moneragala district.

Nine LTTE militants were killed when troops moving towards the north from their Mannar base confrontedmilitants at Thirukeshwaram in the Mannar district.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides, troops captured another three kilometres patch of landalong Uyilankulam – Adampan road in the Mannar district killing five LTTE militants.

Troops shot dead four LTTE militants in an encounter in the area north of Pallikuli, a suburb of Adampan inthe Mannar district. Three soldiers were also injured during the exchange of fire.

During a confrontation between the two sides in the Kurunchakulam area of Vavuniya district, troops killedfour LTTE militants.

Three LTTE militants were killed and two others injured by troops when they attacked a bunker ofthe outfit at Janakapura in the Welioya region of Vavuniya district.

January 18 10 LTTE militants were killed by troops during three separate confrontations in the Pullippankiyarkulam,Villattikulam and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district. Troops also destroyed one bunker.

Troops captured three LTTE strong points in the Pallikuli area of Mannar district and consolidated theirpositions in the area. During the process, troops killed nine militants.

Troops launched attacks on LTTE positions in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district andkilled six militants.

Troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Maruthamadu area, 4­km northwest of Omanthai, in theVavuniya district. Four female militants were confirmed killed and the bunker was completelydestroyed.

January 19 Troops confronted two groups of LTTE militants in the Mullikulam and Villattikulam areas of Mannar andVavuniya district respectively, killing seven militants. Two soldiers were also injured.

Six LTTE militants were killed by troops during an encounter at Janakapura FDL in the Vavuniya district.

Troops on advance from their Chettukulam FDL in the Vavuniya district attacked and destroyed two LTTEtrenches. Six LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured in the incident.

Troops killed four LTTE militants and injured nine others when a clash erupted between the two sides in theChettukulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers also sustained injuries.

At Pallikuli in the Mannar district, troops killed three LTTE militants in two separate incidents.

Two LTTE militants were killed and another injured as troops attacked and destroyed a bunker in theJanakapura area of Vavuniya district. During the attack one soldier was also killed and two otherswere injured.

January 20 Seven LTTE militants were killed when troops attacked a bunker of the outfit in the Pullippankiyarkulamarea of Vavuniya district.

Advancing troops captured another LTTE stronghold in the Vaiyttankulam area of Mannar district after aconfrontation with the militants in which four of the militants were killed. Six soldiers were injured in theincident.

Four LTTE militants aboard a tractor were killed when troops opened fire towards the tractor moving about5­km south of Madhu.

Troops shot dead three militants in the Madhu s area of Mannar district.

Troops cordoned the area north of Kaithady in the Jaffna district and conducted a search operation.During the operation, the LTTE militants fired at the troops. Troops in counter fire killed twomilitants, including the outfit’s leader of the Thendamarachchi area, identified as Chengan.

January 21 At least 15 LTTE militants were killed and 30 others inured as troops launched a pre­down attack againstthe outfit’s bunker lines in the Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas of Jaffna district and destroyed 24 bunkers.The troops destroyed 12 bunkers east of A­9 road and eight more bunkers west of A­9 road in theMuhamalai area while four bunkers were destroyed at Nagarkovil. Two soldiers were also killed nine

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others injured during the gun battle that lasted nearly for one hour.

Four LTTE militants were killed during a clash between the two sides in the Navathkulama area ofVavuniya district.

A team of police personnel who were providing security at Allimankada in the Kithulkote area ofThanamalwila in the Moneragala district confronted a group of LTTE militants and in the ensuing gunbattle, three policemen were killed. The militants, however, managed to escape.

Troops attacked a group of LTTE militants moving in the general area of Mullikulam in the Mannardistrict. In the ensuing gun battle, troops killed seven militants.

The troops in the general area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district confronted another groupof LTTE militants and killed six of them.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district, thetroops killed six more LTTE militants.

Troops destroyed two LTTE bunkers in the Parappakandal area of Mannar district and killed fivemilitants.

January 22 10 LTTE militants were killed as troops in the general area (area under government control) of Pallikuli inthe Mannar district attacked an LTTE strong point and destroyed four bunkers.

Troops stormed a LTTE bunker line in the area south of Muhamalai in the Jaffna district and killed fourmilitants.

A calendar apparently depicting the logo of the LTTE and the map of a separate state of "Tamil Eelam" wassold outside Hindu temples in London on January 1. The "Tamil Eelam" national calendars were publiclysold at the rate of five pounds to 10 pounds each, a report said.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the ethnic conflict should not be solved through militarymeans, but the government will not seek a political solution as long as the LTTE engages interrorism.

January 23 The Elections Commissioners Department recognised five more political parties in addition to the 53Political Parties recognised as on December 31, 2007. The TMVP, the political wing of the LTTE breakawayfaction led by ‘Colonel’ Karuna, is among the two new recognized Tamil political parties.

Full and faithful implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, holding of provincial councilelections in the east and establishment of an interim provincial council in the north are the keyrecommendations made by the APRC in its interim report submitted to President Mahinda Rajapakse.

President Mahinda Rajapakse promised to hand over the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to Indiato face trial in the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case if he is captured.

January 24 Police recovered the dead bodies of 16 youths hacked to death by suspected LTTE militants from a swampat Kiriketuwewa on the Horoupathana­Kebithigollawa road in the Anuradhapura district.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in three separate attacks launched on the outfit’s bunkers atAnandankulam in the Mannar district.

The troops launched an attack on a LTTE bunker line in the area south of A­9 route at Muhamalai in theJaffna district and killed five militants.

President Mahinda Rajapakse is to set up a Temporary Interim Advisory Council (TIAC) to resolveproblems in the North, said the Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister and SriLanka Freedom Party General Secretary Maithripala Sirisena.

January 25 Troops captured a one­kilometer stretch of land in the Karpiththanmoddai area on the Uyilankulam–Adampan road in Mannar district and killed nine LTTE militants. Troops also destroyed seven bunkers. Twosoldiers sustained injuries in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed and four others wounded during two encounters between the militantsand troops at Madhu road area in the Mannar district.

At least six LTTE militants were killed when troops attacked a pocket of militants who were firing at troopsfrom a bunker in the Periyapandirichchan area of Vavuniya district. One soldier who received injuriesduring the incident died later.

Renegade LTTE leader Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias 'Colonel' Karuna was sentenced to nine­month imprisonment by a UK Court for identity fraud. He was arrested in London on November 2,2007, for carrying an apparently genuine Sri Lankan diplomatic passport issued under a false name.

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Karuna told the Isleworth Crown Court in West London that he had received the false diplomaticpassport from the Sri Lankan Government. He said Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapakse, who isalso the brother of President Mahinda Rajapakse, had arranged the documents for him. Karuna, whofounded the Tamil Makkal Vidhuthalai Pullikal (TMVP), was sentenced to nine months in jail underthe Identity Cards Act after he pleaded guilty.

January 26 The troops launched an artillery attack on a group of LTTE militants in the jungle north of Palamoddai in theMannar district and killed six of them and wounded nine others.

Troops deployed south of Madhu area in the Mannar district launched an attack on a group of LTTEmilitants and killed six of them. Two militants were injured.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter near the Kiriibbanwewa FDL of Vavuniyadistrict.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killedfive LTTE militants.

Troops attacked a LTTE bunker line in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed three militants.

Three militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured by the troops during theirattack on an LTTE bunker line in the Vavuniya district. One bunker was also destroyed.

January 27 At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured when clashes eruptedbetween the two sides following militant’s fire towards the troops in the Pantrichurichan area of Mannardistrict.

Troops after observing the LTTE militants constructing a new bunker line in the Kokkuthuduvai area ofVavuniya district launched an assault towards them and killed six militants.

Troops in an encounter killed four LTTE militants in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops at Vankalacheddikulam in the Mannar district.

Troops killed three LTTE cadres who attempted to enter into the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district.One soldier was injured in the incident.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during a clash ahead of the Muhamalai FDL in Jaffnadistrict. One soldier sustained injuries in this incident.

January 28 Troops destroyed six LTTE bunkers in the Pallikuli area of Mannar district and killed sevenmilitants. One soldier was killed and two others sustained injuries during the clashes.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops during a clash in the area south of Adampan in theMannar district.

During six separate clashes with the LTTE, the troops killed nine militants and injured five others in theKiriibbanwewa and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district. At Janakapura, militants fired artillery towardsthe troops killing one soldier.

Troops at Umayaratuvarankulam in the Vavuniya district launched an attack on an LTTE gathering andkilled six militants.

During two encounters in the Villattikulam and Kallikulam areas, the troops killed six militants and injuredfour others. One soldier was injured at Villattikulam.

Troops fired mortar and small arms towards an LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area of Mannar districtand in the ensuing gun­battle, three militants and a soldier were killed while one soldier was injured. Inanother clash between the two sides in the same area, one soldier was killed and another wounded.

Troops opened fire on a line of LTTE bunkers in the Kilaly area of Jaffna district and destroyed fourof them, killing four militants.

January 29 17 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in a claymore mine attack on a school bus in the Mannardistrict. The military and the LTTE blamed each other for the incident. A military spokesperson said theforces did not operate in the area, adding, "The blame for the attack on the military is a cheap propagandatactic by the Tigers cornered in the battlefield." However, the LTTE claimed that 20 civilians, including 11school children, a teacher of Thadchanaamaruthamadu Roman Catholic Tamil Mixed School, the driver,conductor and two hospital workers were killed and 14 wounded when a Deep Penetration Unit of the SriLanka Army triggered a claymore mine targeting the bus carrying school children in Madu division of theLTTE­controlled territory.

The last village of Vaiyttankulam in Adampan under the LTTE control fell to the SFs following heavy fightingin Mannar. The SFs destroyed 10 bunkers and killed 10 militants during the operation. Military spokesman

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Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, "Vaiyttankulam was located 1­km towards the west of Adampan andthe Security Forces destroyed 10 LTTE bunkers while killing 10 Tiger cadres," he said, adding, the fightlasted for two hours and the SFs successfully retaliated the outfit’s resistance forcing them to flee the area.

The SFs neutralized six LTTE bunkers and killed 12 militants in the area south of Pallikuli.

Army snipers killed seven LTTE militants when they were fired upon by the militants in the Karampaikkulamand Parappakandal areas of Mannar district.

During another confrontation between the two sides at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops killedseven militants. Two soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants who infiltrated into the general areas (areas under government control) at theKokkuthuduvai FDL in the Vavuniya district were killed in an encounter by the troops.

Troops launched an attack on a group of LTTE militants moving in the Villattikulam area in of Vavuniyadistrict and killed four of them.

At Andankulam FDL in the in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed four more LTTE militants duringtwo separate attacks.

January 30 The SFs captured the Muhamalai, Nagarkovil and Kilali FDLs of the LTTE in the Jaffna district destroying 35bunkers of the outfit on January 30. 30 militants were killed and an unspecified number of them wereinjured during the operations in which seven soldiers also sustained injuries.

Brigadier Nanayakkara urged the public to be vigilant since the LTTE had planned to carry out attacks bydisguising their men as ice cream vendors. "We have reliable information that the LTTE cadres areplanning to carry out an attack posing off as ice cream vendors and we are asking the public to be extravigilant," he said.

At least 10 LTTE cadres were killed during an encounter with the security forces in the Adampan area ofMannar district. The location, believed to be one of the outfit’s command posts, had been heavily fortifiedwith a three­layer concrete slab.

Troops opened fire on a group of LTTE militants in the Kallikulam area of Mannar district and killed at leastfive cadres and injured several others.

Three civilians belonging to the same family were shot dead by suspected LTTE cadres atChawakachcheri, defense sources said. The outfit had earlier issued death warrants to the civilians who itaccused of acting as security forces’ informers. The Sri Lanka Army report identified the victims as B.Thalikalan (30), K. Baleshwari (28) and B. Pradeepan (17).

The LTTE have urged the UN to recognize 'Tamil sovereignty' to end the 25­year­old ethnic conflict in SriLanka, accusing the Sri Lankan government of committing excesses against the minority community in thecountry. The LTTE political head B. Nadesan in a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki­Moon that theSri Lankan army was involved in the attack on January 28 at Madhu in the Mannar district that led to thedeath of 18 civilians, including 12 school children. He also accused the Sri Lankan military of beingresponsible for aerial bombing of a village in Mullaitivu in which seven children were killed on January 4."Since the present President of Sri Lanka (Mahinda Rajapakse) assumed office in November 2005, asmany as 2,056 Tamil civilians including 132 Tamil children have been massacred by the Sri Lankan StateForces," he claimed.

The government spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella strongly denied any military involvementin the January 28 bomb blast and reiterated that Sri Lanka Army being a professional military would notoperate in a no­war­zone proclaimed by the government. The Minister pointed out that the military has sofar refrained form wresting control over the territory despite it being a relatively easy task, due to its respectfor the existence of the no­war­zone.

The Army said that the LTTE transmissions, closely monitored and transcribed by members of the securityforces, now consolidating in and around Mannar areas, affirmed that many conscripted minors, schoolchildren and teachers were being sent to the LTTE defence line to the north of Madhu with sinister motivesand plans.

Women are being forced into joining the LTTE, according to letters purportedly recovered from slainwoman militants in Sri Lanka. "Every LTTE cadre is anxious to see his or her parents and I willcome home for pongal (harvest festival – January 14) though I do not know what my fate will be,"said one letter recovered by security forces from a slain woman militant. "Amma, what can I do?When all those at home in the area were taken away, I too had to go with them (LTTE)," said theletter, which was released by the Media Centre for National Security. Another militant said she wasforced to join the LTTE by her parents in spite of her objections.

January 31 Troops stormed an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed at least eight militants.An unspecified number militants sustained injuries in the incident.

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Troops clashed with the LTTE militants at Welioya in the Vavuniya district and killed four of them.

A LTTE suicide bomber on a bicycle blew himself at Thinnaveli in the Jaffna district killing three civiliansand injuring 17 others, the military said. Authorities, however, said that the explosion was premature sincethere was no target in the area.

The UN Secretary­General Ban Ki­moon accused the LTTE and its breakaway faction led by‘Colonel’ Karuna of recruiting children from North and the East in a report looking at Children in War.The UN Secretary­General's latest report on children and armed conflict, covering the period fromOctober 2006 to August 2007, said the LTTE had recruited or re­recruited 339 children. It says that41% of them were from Batticaloa. The UNICEF has also received confirmed reports that 246children had been recruited or re­recruited by Karuna group during the reporting period.

February 1 Troops killed 10 LTTE militants and neutralized 10 of their bunkers in an attack at the Muhamalai FDL inJaffna district. Two soldiers were killed six others were injured in the incident.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops attacked a group of the outfit’s militants in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district.

Troops attacked two LTTE bunkers in the Janakapura and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district andkilled four militants.

Troops in the Sirukulam and Chettukulam areas of Mannar district during an encounter killed threemilitants.

Two civilians were killed by the LTTE militants in the Kachchai and Kodikamam areas of Jaffna district.

Troops recovered the dead bodies of four LTTE militants lying in shrubs in the Vavuniya district.

Five soldiers were injured due to the explosion of an LTTE booby trap at Mullikulam in the Mannar district.

Three soldiers were injured due to the explosion of an anti personnel mine at Mullikulam andKokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district.

Nine LTTE militants surrendered to the troops at Murunkan in the Mannar district. Eight of those militantswere active in the jungles surrounding Mannar while the remaining one was active in the Vavuniya district.

The Sri Lanka Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda claimed that the LTTE leader VelupillaiPrabhakaran was not capable of leading his organization due to immense pressure from the armedforces. With reference to intelligence reports the Commander said that Prabhakaran is either injuredor indisposed, adding, "The victory is coming soon but I don’t want to indicate an exact time frame."

February 2 At least 20 passengers aboard a bus were killed and 50 others injured when the LTTE militants detonatedan explosive device at Dambulla bus stand in the Matale district. The bus was to play on the Kandy ­Anuradhapura road. Initial reports quoting Dambulla police said that many Buddhist devotees on apilgrimage to the sacred Anuradhapura city were among the dead and injured.

Troops killed 16 LTTE militants during separate confrontations in the Sirukulam, Andankulam andKokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya. Two soldiers sustained injuries during the confrontation atKokkuthuduvai.

10 LTTE militants were killed during confrontations with the troops in the Parappakandal and Vannakulamareas of Mannar district. Troops also neutralized three bunkers of the outfit.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Villattikulam area of Vavuniyadistrict.

During another confrontation between the two sides in the Periyapanchurichchan and Navakkulam areasof Vavuniya district, troops killed seven LTTE militants.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. One soldierwas also injured during the confrontation.

February 3 At least 12 persons were killed and around 100 injured, 10 of them critically, when an LTTE female suicidemilitant blew herself inside the Colombo Fort Railway Station. The bomber who apparently arrived at therailway station in a train blew herself opposite the station cafeteria on platform number three at 2.10pm.The head of the suicide cadre was lying on the platform along with a cellular phone connected to ahandsfree kit. "They (LTTE) would have targeted Security Forces personnel who were returning to theirbases after rehearsals at the Galle Face Green," an unnamed military official said.

Earlier in the day, at least seven civilians, including two children, were injured in a low intensity grenadeexplosion inside the Dehiwala Zoological Garden on the outskirts of Colombo.

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Troops attacked a LTTE bunker line in the Koilmoddai area of Mannar district and killed eight militants. Oneof the outfit’s bunkers was also destroyed in the incident.

Three LTTE militants were killed and three of their bunkers were neutralized by the troops during twoseparate attacks in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

Three LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during a gun battle in the Periyapanchurichchan areaof Vavuniya district.

Troops launched an attack on an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killedfour militants.

In the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district, troops killed four militants.

Four more LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Madu area ofVavuniya district.

Troops killed four LTTE militants who were roaming in the jungle areas of Karampaikkulam andAdampan in the Mannar district.

Troops on a search operation shot dead four LTTE militants in the Koilmoddai area of Mannardistrict.

At least three LTTE militants were killed and three of their bunkers destroyed by the troops duringtwo separate clashes in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

February 4 At least 13 persons were killed and 17 others inured when LTTE militants detonated a claymore minetargeting a civilian bus, plying from Parakaramapura to Janakapura, at Kobbekaduwa junction in Welioya,200­metres away from the 223 Brigade headquarters. The dead include five soldiers and two women.

Three soldiers were injured in a LTTE­triggered claymore mine at Galge in the Buttala area of Badulladistrict. One of the inured soldiers died later.

An explosion occurred at Dandeniyawatta in the Moratuwa area of Colombo District. Separately, an IEDthat had been planted at the foot of an electricity transformer at Wijesiriwardane Mawatha in the Mt Laviniawent off damaging the transformer. However, no casualties were reported in the incidents.

Troops in a series of clashes with the LTTE militants at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district killedat least 12 of them.

Troops killed at least six LTTE militants during clashes in the Andankulam, Kaddutaddamalai andKokkutoduvai areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was injured during the clashes.

LTTE militants opened fire towards the troops in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniyadistrict and in the ensuing gun­battle, two soldiers and a militant were killed while another soldiersustained injuries.

February 5 The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district and killed nineof them and injured nine others.

During an encounter in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district, four militants and three soldiers werekilled while 14 soldiers sustained injuries.

During a clash between the two sides at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, the troops shot dead at leastsix militants. One soldier sustained injuries during the clash.

At Umayarathuwankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops attacked and captured a LTTE bunker killing fivemilitants.

The troops stormed the LTTE trench line in the Periyathampane area of Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants.

Two soldiers and a militant were killed when clashes erupted between the two sides at Adampan in theMannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kaduthodamalai area of Vavuniya district.

February 6 12 LTTE militants were killed when the troops deployed at the FDLs in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna districtstormed the outfit’s bunkers at about 5.30am. Five soldiers were also injured during the clash. Troops withthe assistance of T­55 battle tanks completely destroyed 30 bunkers ­ four in the Nagarkovil area, 10 in thearea north of A­9 and 16 in the Kilaly area.

At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and several others wounded when troops confronted a group ofmilitants in the Welioya and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district.

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Six SLN personnel were killed and one was rescued when the Sea Tigers [cadres of the sea wing of theLiberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)] attacked the SLN vessel in the seas off Thalaimannar.

Two groups of soldiers who were on an ambush in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya districtshot dead four LTTE militants and injured at least nine others.

At Kokkuthuduvai, the troops killed four more LTTE militants during another clash.

Army snipers killed three LTTE militants in two separate incidents in the Parappanikulam andSirukulam areas of Mannar district.

February 7 Troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Umayaratuvarankulam area of Vavuniya district andkilled at least 10 of them.

Five LTTE militants, including an area leader, were killed and 10 others injured by the troops during anencounter in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas along the A­9 road in the Jaffna district. One soldier waskilled and five others sustained injuries during the clash.

At Periyapanndivirichchan in the Vavuniya district, the troops attacked a LTTE bunker and killed fourmilitants while injuring six others. Two soldiers were also wounded in the incident.

Two LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during a gun­battle between the two sides in the Janakapuraarea Vavuniya district. 10 militants and a soldier were injured in the incident.

An army captain, a soldier and a Buddhist monk were arrested for having close links with a topLTTE leader named Ramesh alias Charles, who was reportedly involved in the recent bomb blastsin Colombo and the suburbs.

February 8 The Army captured a one­square kilometer area to the south of Adampan Tank in the Mannar district afterclashes with the LTTE militants. 12 militants and two soldiers were killed during the clashes. Five moresoldiers sustained injuries in the operation.

Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in an ambush in the Sinnapantrichurichchan area ofVavuniya district.

Eight LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during a gun­battle between the two sides at Andankulam areaof Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants were shot dead by the troops in the Sirukulam, Kallikulam and Adampan areasof Mannar district.

February 9 15 LTTE militants and three soldiers were killed during a gun­battle between the two sides atPeriyapantrichurichchan in the Vavuniya district. Seven soldiers were also injured.

Six militants were killed during three separate incidents at Mullikulam in the Mannar district.

The troops launched an attack towards a group of LTTE militants constructing a bunker line in theMuhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed five militants.

Troops killed four LTTE militants during separate encounters in the Chettukulam, Ittikandal andNedunkandal areas of Vavuniya district.

During an encounter at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed three militants.

Three LTTE militants were shot dead by the troops during separate encounters in the Koilmoddai andNavakkulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants in the Periyapantrichurichchan and Umayaratuvarankulamareas of Vavuniya district.

The troops launched two separate attacks on the LTTE militants at Periyapantrichurichchan areas ofVavuniya district and killed three militants.

Three separate attacks launched by the troops at LTTE militants operating in the Muhamalai andNagarkovil areas of Jaffna district caused the death of three militants.

The LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran had no option but to give up arms and join the politicalmainstream as the Sri Lankan forces were marching ahead remarkably against the outfit, ArmyChief Sarath Fonseka said. "LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran should realize that he cannot go aheadwith his military campaign. They have no option other than to give up their struggle and enter thepolitical mainstream," he told the state­run Sunday Observer.

February 10 11 LTTE militants were killed during separate clashes with the troops in the Sirukulam, Karampaikkulam,Adampan and Parappakandal areas of Mannar district.

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The troops killed eight LTTE militants and destroyed two of their bunkers at Kallikulam in the Vavuniyadistrict.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

Troops operating ahead of the Mullikulam FDL in the Mannar district confronted a group of LTTE militantsand killed six of them.

Troops opened fire towards a tractor carrying LTTE militants in the Sivarayankulam area ofVavuniya and killed three militants.

February 11 Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during two separate encounters between the two sidesin the area south of A­9 in the Muhamalai region of Jaffna district.

At least 13 LTTE militants and 10 soldiers were killed during a gun­battle between the two sides in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district. The troops destroyed 12 LTTE bunkers and also injured anunspecified number of militants. 25 soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident.

At Udayanathankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops attacked and neutralised a LTTE bunker, killing atleast eight militants.

The troops killed five LTTE militants during an encounter at Periyapandirichchan in the Vavuniya district.

The troops opened fire towards a group of LTTE militants in the Sirukulam, Karampaikkulam andNedunkandal areas of Mannar district and killed five of them.

The troops during a raid on an LTTE bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district killed four militants.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, during a clash with the LTTE cadres the troops killed fourmilitants while destroying one of their bunkers.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides at Mullikulam in the Mannar district, the troopskilled three LTTE militants. One soldier was wounded in the incident.

February 12 During an encounter between the two sides at Villattikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed at leastseven LTTE militants and subsequently recovered the dead body of one of the slain militants.

Six soldiers were killed and 10 others injured when LTTE militants fired artillery shells at the denselypopulated Thalladi town damaging the St. Sebastian Church in Mannar.

Four LTTE militants were killed when the troops opened fire towards them in the Andankulam area ofVavuniya district.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops clashed with some infiltrating LTTE militants killing atleast three of them while injuring six others.

The LTTE are reportedly among six blatant violators of human rights singled out by the UN forrecruiting underage children in armed conflict and using rape and other forms of sexual violenceagainst them. The UN Security Council criticised the continuing recruitment and use of children inarmed conflict and deplored the systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence againstthem.

February 13 At least 13 LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Parikariperiyakulam and Umayaratuvarankulamareas of Vavuniya district. A soldier was injured during the incident.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Periyathampane area of Vavuniya district and killed atleast seven militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in theThaddankulam area of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and three of their bunkers destroyed when the troops stormed the LTTEbunker line in the Sirukulam area of Mannar district.

The troops killed three LTTE militants and injured nine others in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo the military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said in theperiod between January 30 and February 12, 475 LTTE militants were killed and many more injured duringthe fighting between the SFs and the militants in the North. He put SFs losses at 39 killed and 178 injured.46 civilians were also killed during the two­week period while 179 civilians sustained injuries.

The ICRC said it was deeply concerned about the growing number of civilian casualties, includingchildren, as the security situation across Sri Lanka deteriorates due to indiscriminate LTTE attackson civilian targets. Issuing a statement, the ICRC said that in the first six weeks of 2008, more than

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180 civilians were reported killed and almost 270 injured in a series of attacks on civilian buses,railway stations and individuals in Colombo, Dambula, Kebhitigollewa, Madhu, Okkampitiya andWelli Oya.

February 16 Reacting to the frequent claims by the Sri Lankan government that the LTTE Chief VelupillaiPrabhakaran has been injured in a military raid, the outfit’s political head B. Nadesan told the Tamildaily Thinakkural in an interview, "A false propaganda saying our leader Prabhakaran is injured isbeing carried. Nobody can approach our leader. People of Sri Lanka will realise the futility of such aclaim in times to come."

February 18 Troops advancing into the LTTE held areas in the eastern part of Mannar district, captured an areaof about 600 square metre with an LTTE defence line and a strongly­built bund in the Andankulamarea. 10 militants were killed and an equal number of them sustained injuries in the attack. Onesoldier was also killed while four others were wounded in the fighting.

February 19 Troops foiled an LTTE attempt to dislodge the consolidating troops in the newly captured Sirukulam area inthe Mannar district. In the gun­battle that started around midnight and continued for about four hours troopsinflicted heavy casualties on the militants forcing them to retreat. The exact details of the casualties are,however, yet to be ascertained, though it is believed at least 35­40 militants have either been injured orkilled.

Sri Lanka has said a proposal for providing a safe haven for the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran hasbeen there "for some time", but felt he would be apprehended by India the moment he leaves the islandcountry. "Yes, that is his problem. If he (Prabhakaran) leaves Kilinochchi, then India will get him for sure,"Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told Asian Tribune.

The Sri Lankan government said that it would open a 'gateway' for trapped civilians in the Wanniarea to crossover to the government controlled areas. "We would open an escape rout for civiliansin the Wanni area and would give necessary accommodation," said Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

February 20 At least 13 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured during encounters with the troops in the areaswest of Parappakandal and north of Pallikuli in the Mannar district. Two soldiers were also killed in theLTTE attacks.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed when the troops launched an attack towards a group of militants inthe Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while five others sustained injuries inthe incident.

The troops attacked a group of LTTE militants in the area north of Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district andkilled eight of them. Three militants and a soldier were injured in the gun­fight.

At Kallikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralized a LTTE bunker and killed six militants.

Three soldiers were killed when the LTTE militants opened fire on an Army picket point atDambakote in the Buttala district. Troops retaliated and injured at least one militant.

February 21 At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised a bunker of the outfit in the Mullikulamarea of Mannar district. Three soldiers were also injured while three T­56 weapons and one Icom radio setwere recovered from the incident site.

During an attack launched by the troops targeting a heavily fortified LTTE bunker in the Karampaikkulamarea of Mannar district, four militants were killed while several others were injured. Two soldiers were alsokilled while four more sustained injuries in the gun fire.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops in two different attacks in the Periyapantrichurichchan area ofVavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed as a group of outfit’s militants attempting to infiltrate newly captured areas inthe Parappakandal area of Mannar district were attacked by the troops.

Troops attacked another group of LTTE militants moving in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district and killedthree of them.

The troops attacked a few LTTE bunkers in the Mantota area of Mannar district and killed three militants.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in separate encounters in the Kokkuthuduvai andAdampan areas of Mannar district.

February 22 A fierce gun battle erupted between the two sides when the troops assaulted a group of LTTE militants whowere manning a bunker in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district. At least seven militants were killed andthree others were injured in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed when a fierce gun battle erupted between the two sides in the area north ofWelioya sector in the Vavuniya district. Subsequently, the troops recovered dead bodies of the six slain

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militants along with a Multi Purpose Machine Gun, five T­56 weapons and two radio sets.

In the Mankindamulai area of Vavuniya district, troops over ran a line of LTTE bunkers while killing at leastfive militants. One soldier also died in the incident.

Troops attacked an LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants.One soldier was injured in the incident. Another attack on a LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area ofthe same district area by the troops resulted in the death of four militants.

Troops in the Mantota area of Mannar district launched an attack on a LTTE camp in the jungle and shotdead four militants.

President Mahinda Rajapakse asserted that following the local government elections due to be heldshortly in the East, his government will also take steps to establish democracy and rights to allcommunities in the land, inclusive of those in the North.

February 23 The troops stormed an LTTE bunker line ahead of them in the Koilmoddai area of Mannar district and killedat least 11 militants while destroying three bunkers. Five soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed when the troops stormed one of the outfit’s camps in the junglenorth of Janakapura in Vavuniya district.

The troops launched several attacks on a LTTE bunker line at Mullikulam and killed seven militants whileneutralising a number of their bunkers.

The troops stormed a line of LTTE bunkers in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district and killed sevenmilitants. One soldier was injured in the incident.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants on two occasions in the Andankulam area of Vavuniyadistrict and killed four militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed and one of their bunkers was neutralised by the troops in the Perankulamarea of Mannar district. One T­56 weapon was also recovered from the area.

The troops during an encounter in the Adampan area of Mannar district killed four LTTE militants.

At Mullikulam in the Mannar district, the troops attacked LTTE bunkers ahead of them and killed twomilitants. One soldier who sustained injuries in the incident died later.

Troops operating in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district shot dead three LTTE militants.

Troops confronted another group of LTTE militants and killed three of them in thePeriyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district.

February 24 The troops operating in the Mannar battle front advanced further into the LTTE­held territory on three frontsfrom Thiruketheeshvaran, Uyilankulam and Pallikuli, an unnamed senior Army official said. "At least 15 to20 Tiger cadres were killed in these confrontations," the official added.

At least 17 LTTE militants were killed when the troops overran their line of bunkers in the Parappakandalarea of Mannar district. Six soldiers were killed and 16 others sustained injuries in the clashes.

The Naval intelligence revealed that three senior Sea Tiger [sea wing of the LTTE] women leaders,including self­styled ‘Lt. Colonel Kalai Arasi’, a woman Sea Tiger instructor and six others had been killedin the air raids carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets targeting women’s Sea Tiger training campat Kiranchi in the Kilinochchi district.

The troops launched an operation to capture LTTE bunkers in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya districtand killed five militants and injured two others.

Five LTTE militants were killed during clashes that erupted between the two sides in the Villattikulam,Chanakakulam and Periyapanndivirichchan areas of Vavuniya district.

Two TMVP cadres were killed as a LTTE suicide cadre blew himself opposite the Kali Kovil (Temple) in theKalawanchikudi area of Batticaloa district. The suicide cadre had apparently jumped onto the motor bike onwhich the two persons were traveling near Satyavilan road, some 17­ kilometers from Batticaloa town.

Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona in an interview to Asian Tribune said that there is no group leftthat could be described as Karuna Group because they have splintered into many factions over thelast year.

February 25 At least six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Udayanathankulam areaof Vavuniya district.

During a clash that erupted between the two sides when the troops launched an attack on threeLTTE bunkers at Koilmoddai in the Mannar district, five militants and a soldier were killed. Two

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soldiers and two militants were also injured.

Three LTTE militants were killed during clashes between the two sides in the Muhamalai area ofJaffna district.

February 26 Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops during intermittent clashes that erupted between thetwo sides in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district. Troops also neutralized at least six bunkers ofthe outfit.

The United Nations and Non Governmental Organisations working in the conflict­ridden north andeast are warning of a mounting humanitarian toll in 2008 due to the escalation in hostilities.Agencies should be prepared to assist "up to 500,000 conflict­affected individuals comprising IDPs,returnees and economically affected persons", according to the CHAP 2008, prepared by the InterAgency Standing Committee country team for Sri Lanka and released on 22 February.

February 27 During clashes between the two sides in the Perankulam, Parappakandal, Karukkakulam, Adampanand Mannar town areas of Mannar district, the troops killed at least 14 LTTE militants.

At Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralised LTTE bunkers and killed eightmilitants.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Karampaikkulam area of Mannar district andkilled at least four militants. One soldier is reported to have died in the incident.

The military said that since 2006, a total of 6,486 LTTE militants, 1196 military personnel and 982civilians have been killed, estimating there are now only around 5,000 militants still alive.

February 28 The troops captured the Sinnaodaippu sluice gates and its adjacent areas north of Giant Tank in theMannar district after an encounter erupted between the security forces and LTTE militants. At least14 militants were killed and six T­56 weapons were recovered during the incident. Two soldierssustained injuries in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed in three separate attacks carried out by the troops in theNavakkulam and Periyapantrichurichchan areas of Vavuniya district.

February 29 Seven LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Muhamalai area of Jaffnadistrict.

The troops neutralized four LTTE bunkers in the Kokkuthuduvai and Andankulam areas of Vavuniyadistrict and killed four militants.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter at Vallaikulam in the Vavuniya district.

The troops launched an attack on an LTTE bunker line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna district anddestroyed eight bunkers killing five militants.

Troops neutralized eight newly­erected LTTE bunkers in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district andkilled five militants.

March 1 Nine LTTE militants were killed by the troops during encounters between the two sides in theNavakkulam, Mullikulam and Kallikulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops confronted a group of LTTE militants in the Kilaly, Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas ofJaffna district and killed five militants. One soldier was also killed during the incident.

During a clash between the two sides in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district, the troops killedtwo LTTE militants. One soldier was killed while another sustained injuries during the incident.

The troops attacked an LTTE strong point in the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya districtand killed two militants. During the exchange of fire, one soldier was killed while four others werewounded.

March 2 Eight LTTE militants were killed by the troops in a clash in the general area of Kokkuthuduwai in theVavuniya district. Two soldiers were killed while 10 others sustained injuries during the clash.

The troops at Kallikulam in the Mannar district attacked a LTTE hideout with Rocket PropellerGrenades and killed at least six militants. One soldier was also killed in the incident.

Troops attacked a group of militants in the Kovilmadu area of Vavuniya district and killed five ofthem. At least nine more militants were reportedly wounded in the incident.

President Mahinda Rajapakse reiterated that until such time every inch of land is captured and the

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last terrorist is neutralised, his government will not cease its liberation operations against the LTTE.

Sri Lankan authorities urged the British government to ban fund­raising activities of what theydescribed as LTTE’s front organisations alleging that the money collected by these groups"ostensibly" for charitable purposes went into the "coffers" of the outfit.

March 3 The troops neutralized a LTTE bunker in Chettikulam in the Vavuniya district and killed five cadres.Four soldiers are reported to have been wounded in the incident.

March 4 Army troops took under control Pallaikuli east and a LTTE cross­loading point on the Uyilankulam­Andankulam road in Mannar district (about 2.5 sq km in total). Troops reportedly broke into theLTTE dominated Pallaikuli east area and killed seven militants, including three women cadres, andinjured five others.

The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Palaimodai area of Mannar district and killed at leastthree militants.

The troops neutralized another LTTE bunker in the Vilattikulam area of Vavuniya district, killingthree militants.

March 5 The troops attacked an identified LTTE bunker in the Manthota area of Mannar district and killedfive militants. One soldier was also killed while three more sustained injuries in the incident.

The troops attacked another LTTE bunker in the Periyapantichchan area of Vavuniya district andkilled five more militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during an encounter in the Karampaikulam area of Vavuniyadistrict. Two soldiers sustained injuries during the clash.

During an encounter between the two sides at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops killedthree LTTE militants. One soldier was injured in the incident.

The Sri Lanka government said that more than 100 soldiers were killed and 800 were wounded inthe fighting against the LTTE during February 2008. Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva toldParliament, "The number of security personnel killed last month was 104, while another 822 soldiersand police were wounded. Some 80 civilians were killed and 201 wounded in February."

March 6 The TNA parliamentarian K. Siwaneshan, representing the Jaffna district was killed in an explosionin the Kanagarayankulam area on the Mankulam­Mallavi road of Kilinochchi district. The pro­LTTEWebsite Tamil Net alleged that he was killed in a claymore mine attack carried out by the Sri LankaArmy’s Deep Penetration Unit. His driver was also killed in the attack. The military, however, saidno operations were being carried out there at that time.

At least 12 LTTE militants were killed during a gun­battle between the two sides in theKokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also killed while 10 others sustainedinjuries.

12 more LTTE militants were killed and their trench line destroyed by the troops during an operationto capture Parappakandal in the Mannar district.

The troops killed seven LTTE militants in the Periyapantrichurichchan, Kallikulam andMundimurippu areas of Mannar district.

Four LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed when the troops confronted a group of LTTEmilitants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were injured during the clash.

The troops attacked and destroyed one LTTE bunker ahead of their FDL (at Nagarkovil in the Jaffnadistrict and killed three militants.

March 7 Six LTTE militants were killed during sporadic clashes in the Veddamkulam, Karampikulam, Madhucamp area, Periyawalandykulam, Tiruketishwara in the Mannar district.

Four LTTE militants were reported killed during an attack by the troops at Kollmoddai in theVavuniya district.

March 8 The troops killed 13 LTTE militants during clashes in the Udayanatankulam, Karampaikkulam,Palaimoddai, Palaikuli, Periyavalayankaddukulam and Perankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

10 LTTE militants were killed during a gun­battle with the troops in the Manthai area of Mannardistrict. Two soldiers were also killed and four others were wounded in the incident.

Seven LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kilaly and Muhamale areas of Jaffna district.

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Two soldiers sustained injuries during the encounters.

Three soldiers were killed during clashes with the LTTE militants at Udayanatankulam,Sulainamarutamadu and Ampan areas of Mannar district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and one of their gun positions and two bunkers were neutralized bythe troops in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district.

March 9 At least 15 LTTE militants were killed by troops during clashes in the Umayarathuwarankulam,Vilathikulam, Venkalacheddikulam, Adampan, Pulmoddai, Ilantaivan and Janakapura areas ofVavuniya district. Five soldiers were also killed during the clashes.

The LTTE released two pictures of its leader Velupillai Prabhakaran paying his respects to the TNAparliamentarian K. Sivanesan, who was killed in an explosion on March 6, at an undiscloseddestination in the outfit’s­controlled Wanni area.

March 10 In a pre­dawn attack on an LTTE bunker line in the Illanthaivan area of Mannar district, the troopskilled 10 militants and injured an equal number of them. Troops also captured eight bunkers. Threesoldiers were also killed while 12 others were injured.

Intelligence sources have revealed that the LTTE is attempting to poison VIPs as they are unableto reach them, said Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake.

At least 26 LTTE militants, mostly females, were killed and three others injured by the troops duringclashes in the Puliyankulam area of Mannar district. One soldier was also killed while 13 otherswere wounded during the clashes.

The troops attacked a LTTE camp in the Karampaikulam area of Mannar district and neutralized twoof their bunkers and cleared a few trenches. Ground troops confirmed that four soldiers were killedwhile two others sustained injuries during the clash.

The LTTE militants directed 60­mm mortar fire on troop positions in the Vilattikulam area ofVavuniya district, injuring two soldiers. In the retaliatory fire, the troops killed at least four militants.

March 11 The TMVP, a breakaway faction of the LTTE, won eight out of nine local councils while the rulingUFPA won the Batticaloa Municipal Council with 11 out of 19 seats. Polling for the local bodyelections in Batticaloa went off peacefully on March 10, though there were some allegations of voterigging. There were nine political parties and 22 independent groups fielding 831 candidates for 101posts in nine Pradeshiya Sabhas (local councils) and the Batticaloa town municipality.

The troops operating ahead of the Maruthamadu FDL in the Vavuniya district killed five LTTEmilitants.

The troops in a pre­dawn attack captured the immediate surroundings adjacent to the Sinnaodaippusluice gates under their control after advancing about 500 meter to the east. Four militants werekilled while three soldiers sustained injuries in the incident.

The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Umayaratuvarankulam area of Vavuniya district and killedthree militants, including the team leader Tallavan.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Karampaikkulam area ofVavuniya district.

A case was filed against LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, its Intelligence wing leader PottuAmman and another three former cadres before the Colombo High Court in connection with theformer Foreign Minister Laxman Kadirgamar assassination.

March 12 Nine LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured when the troops attacked threebunkers of the outfit in the Udayanathankulam area of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers sustainedinjuries in the incident.

The troops fired on a tractor carrying LTTE militants in the Karampachchikulam area of Vavuniyadistrict and completely destroyed the tractor, killing six militants.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed three LTTE militants during an encounter in the Karampachchikulam area ofVavuniya district.

At Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralized a LTTE bunker and killed threemilitants.

March 13 11 LTTE militants were killed during several encounters between the troops and militants in the

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March 13 11 LTTE militants were killed during several encounters between the troops and militants in theKarukkakulam, Nedunkandal, Vannakulam and Ilantaivan areas of Mannar district.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Karampaikkulam area of Vavuniya district. Onesoldier was also injured in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in theVillattikulam area of Vavuniya district.

March 14 The troops during two separate attacks captured four LTTE bunkers and killed four militants in theKallikulam and Malikaittidal areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were injured during the clashes.

March 15 Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during a clash in the Mullikulam area of Mannar district.

Four soldiers were killed and three others injured during an encounter with the LTTE militants atKokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district.

The troops killed four LTTE militants during clashes in the Adampan and Malikaittidal areas ofMannar district. One soldier also sustained injuries in the Malikaittidal incident.

The troops killed four LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and Kirchudankulam areas of Vavuniyadistrict.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops at Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district. Onesoldier was injured in the incident.

March 16 At least 12 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during separate clashes in the Pandivirichchen,Villattikulam, Kallikulam, Kappankulam and Nedunkandal areas of Vavuniya and Periyakulam areaof Mannar district. A few LTTE bunkers used for artillery, RPG and mortar firing were also destroyedduring the clashes.

The troops attacked and captured a LTTE camp in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district, killingfive militants and injuring 20 others. Two soldiers were also killed during the clashes while eightothers sustained injuries.

The troops foiled two infiltration attempts by the LTTE towards the second line of the defense of thetroops in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed three militants.

Three militants were killed as clashes erupted between the troops and a group of LTTE militants inthe Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

March 17 Troops killed two LTTE militants during an encounter in the Navakkulam area of Vavuniya district.

The Sri Lanka Defence Ministry said it had opened a green channel for the doctors at the mainroadblock at Madavachchiya from March 17­onwards. "The measure has been taken to reduce thedelays and complexities faced by the doctors traveling to Mannar and Vavuniya," it said.

At least five LTTE militants, including a close ally of an LTTE leader, Jeyam, were killed andanother sustained injuries during an encounter in the Munkilmurichchan area of Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed during an encounter in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district.

The troops attacked and neutralised a LTTE bunker in the jungles northwest of Kallikulam in theVavuniya district, killing three militants, identified as Kuilan, Virasailan and Kuvilmaran.

One soldier was killed while two others sustained injuries when the LTTE militants triggered aclaymore mine explosion targeting a foot patrol of the troops in the Murunkan area of Mannardistrict.

At Kaduthodamalai in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed a LTTE militant and injured two othersduring an encounter.

March 18 At least four LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised a bunker in the Kallikulam areaof Vavuniya district.

The troops attacked two LTTE camps in the Kokkuthuduvai area of Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants while injuring another.

The troops recovered decomposed dead bodies of nine LTTE militants, including five females, fromdense jungles in the Periyapanndivirichchan area of Vavuniya district.

President Mahinda Rajapakse announced that democracy given to the people in the Eastern

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Province will soon be given to the North as well.

March 19 11 LTTE militants were killed and two of their bunkers destroyed in an ambush carried out by theArmy Special Infantrymen at Kottakkarankulam in the Vavuniya district.

The troops repulsed an attack by the LTTE in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killedthree militants while injuring an equal number of them.

The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district andkilled three of them.

March 20 The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Pandivirichchen area of Vavuniya district and killed atleast four LTTE militants.

During an attack in the Villattikulam area of Vavuniya district, the troops killed at least four LTTEmilitants.

The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants and killed four of them while injuring three others inthe area of north of Janakapura. Two soldiers were also injured in the incident.

Three LTTE militants were killed while two others sustained injuries by the troops in theVeddayamurippu area of Mannar district.

The LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran has reportedly ordered its proxy political party, the TNA, notto contest the forthcoming Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province.

March 21 The troops attacked and captured a LTTE camp and bunker complex north of Janakapura in theVavuniya district, killing three militants. Six soldiers were injured in the incident.

Three LTTE militants were killed and 22 others injured during a clash between the two sides in theJanakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.

March 22 At least 25 LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured as the troopssuccessfully responding to heavy resistance by the militants moved forward and captured an areaof about one square kilometre in the Periyakulam and Ilantaivan regions, north of Uyilankulam in theMannar district. Four soldiers were also killed while 16 others sustained injuries.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the areas southwest of Madhu and Kallikulamin Mannar district.

Seven LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured by the troops during clashes between thetwo sides in the Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were killed while sevenothers sustained injuries during the incident.

During two separate encounters, the troops killed four LTTE militants in the Nagarkovil area ofJaffna district.

At Kokkuthuduvai and Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, the troops killed three LTTE militants.

March 23 10 LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during clashes in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district.Six of the slain militants were inside a bunker when the Rocket Propeller Gun fire completelydestroyed it.

The troops killed at least six LTTE militants during intermittent fighting that erupted in theJanakapura, Kokkuthuduvai and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed five LTTE militants in the Periyakulam area of Mannar district.

Two LTTE militants trying to launch an attack on the troops were shot dead in the Kathankulamarea of Vavuniya district.

March 24 The troops killed seven LTTE militants in the area south of Madhu in the Mannar district.

The Colombo High Court Judge, Kumuduni Wickremesinghe issued notices to the LTTE chiefVelupillai Prabhakaran, Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman, Charles Master and KomadeeManimekala in connection with the assassination (August 12, 2005) of former Foreign MinisterLakshman Kadirgamar.

According to the Defence Ministry, over 2500 LTTE militants have been killed by the military sinceJanuary 1, 2008. More than 7200 militants have been killed since December 2005.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake stated that the LTTE maintains links with international

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terrorist groups such as the PKK and certain affiliates of al Qaeda. He also said that certain reportsmentioned about Tamil youths receiving training in Palestinian camps in Syria and Lebanon.

The Elections Department said that all measures had been finalized to receive nominations for theEastern Province election from March 27. The deadline for filing nominations is April 3. All majorpolitical parties are expected to join the fray in a contest where 37 members which includes twobonus seats, would be chosen out of a total of 44 from three districts, namely Batticaloa (11),Trincomalee (10) and Ampara (14) for the Provincial Council of the de­merged East.

The TULF has urged Sri Lankan leaders to disarm all militant groups before the eastern provincialcouncil elections. In a letter to President Mahinda Rajapakse, TULF leader VeerasinghamAnandasangaree said the existence of armed groups in the east is an obstacle to free and fairelections.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Karampaikkulam area ofVavuniya district. Four soldiers were injured in the incident.

March 25 The 11 sailors, who went missing when a locally–built fast attack craft of the Sri Lanka Navy wascaught in a LTTE­triggered sea mine explosion in the Nayaru Sea off Mullaitivu coast on March 22,have reportedly died.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the SFs during an encounter in the Adampan area of Mannardistrict.

The troops neutralized a LTTE bunker in the jungles north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district,killing at least four militants who were inside the bunker.

Air Force Wing Commander Andrew Wijesuriya reiterated that intelligence sources confirmed threeLTTE militants were killed and eight others injured in an air raid carried out by the SLAF at the SeaTiger Coordinating Centre located in the Puthukudirippu area of Mullaitivu district on March 22.

Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informed that more than 501 LTTE militants have been killed in thelast 20 days and that an unknown number of militants and 223 soldiers have been injured in clashesfrom March 5 to March 24. 50 soldiers died during this period. Nanayakkara also said militaryoperations were continuing in the Mannar, Vavuniya and Jaffna district's Muhamalai area. "TheSecurity Forces have been successful in capturing 31 square kilometres of territory south of theA14 road in Mannar," he added. He said so far this year some 115 bodies of militants have beenhanded over with 11 more bodies to be delivered to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Sri Lanka Government said that all IDPs in the Eastern Province will be resettled before thecoming provincial council election. There are over 6000 IDPs still sheltered in welfare camps in theEravur, Pattu and Kiran areas. Resettlement of IDPs from the Trincomalee district started on March25. Some 464 people belonging to 132 families from the Pallikudiruppu and Muttur area have beenresettled. Meanwhile, there are IDPs from five more villages in the Muttur area still living in welfarecamps in the Batticaloa district, sources said.

The UNP has decided to contest the EP elections, UNP Secretary General Tissa Attanayake said.The SLMC has also decided to independently contest the polls, SLMC General Secretary HussanAli said.

Muslim civilians who survived mass ethnic cleansing campaigns by the LTTE during 1990s andwho are living in refugee camps in the Puttalam district at present plan to form a political party.Sources said that this measure is intended to find a solution to the problems faced by the largenumber of Muslims living in the refugee camps or with their relatives for the past 18 years.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told a gathering in Jerusalem in Israel that "India willnever allow a separate independent state for Tamils in Sri Lanka because such a development willhave a disastrous effect in India. India has always been committed to Sri Lanka’s territorialintegrity," he added and claimed that the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran wanted to create aTamil state by "including certain parts of India as well."

March 26 The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district andkilled seven of them. One soldier sustained injuries in the incident.

Four soldiers were killed and eight others sustained injuries following accidental explosions ofAPMs in the Sulanamaruthamadu, Adampan and Koilmoddai areas of Mannar district.

At Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district, the troops confronted two groups of LTTE militants andkilled at least two of them. Two soldiers were killed while three others sustained injuries during the

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clashes.

The SFs retaliated and rescued eight fishermen when they detected a group of people trying tocome out of a jungle patch three­kilometer east of Omanthai in the Vavuniya district under heavysmall arms fire by the LTTE militants. Three of the escapees were killed while another threesustained injuries in the LTTE attack.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants at Janakapura in the Vavuniya district.

March 27 At least nine LTTE militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sidesin the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district. One army officer was also killed while threesoldiers were injured in the incident.

The troops neutralised an LTTE hideout in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district, killing fourmilitants. One soldier was also killed while three others sustained injuries in the incident.

Five LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised an LTTE bunker in the Janakapura areaof Vavuniya district. One soldier was injured in the incident.

The troops retaliated to an LTTE attack in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district and killed at leastthree militants. Two of the outfit’s bunkers were also destroyed in the operation.

March 28 Nine militants were killed during two clashes in the Kaduruvitankulam and Periyathampane areas ofVavuniya district.

During two encounters in the Nagarkovil and Eluttumadduwal areas of Jaffna district, the troopskilled seven militants. A female militant was among the slain militants, troops at Eluttumadduwalstated.

March 29 At least 11 LTTE militants were killed during separate clashes with the troops in the Madhu area ofMannar district. One soldier was also killed while four others were injured in these clashes.

Approximately 10 LTTE militants were killed as the troops captured an area of about 700­metre inthe Ilantaivan region of Mannar district. Two of the outfit’s bunkers were also neutralised in theincident.

Three soldiers were killed and four others injured during clashes with the LTTE militants in theJanakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district. One militant was also killed while anunspecified number of them sustained injuries during the clashes.

Four militants were killed by the troops in the Navathkulama area of Vavuniya district.

The Deputy Chairman of the Moneragala local council, Dr. A. Muththulingam, was shot dead byunidentified gunmen in his clinic in the Moneragala town.

March 30 Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during three separate encounters in the Malikaittidal,Veddayamurippu and Adampan areas of Mannar district.

March 31 A tractor carrying LTTE militants was fired upon by the troops in the Mundimurichchikulam area ofVavuniya district. Troops confirmed that six militants were killed in the incident.

Four militants were killed by the troops when clashes erupted between the two sides in theJanakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while another sustained injuries inthe incident.

At Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, at least four female LTTE militants were killed by thetroops.

The troops captured two LTTE bunkers in the Malikaittidal area of Mannar district, killing twomilitants.

April 1 At least 21 LTTE militants were killed and 12 soldiers wounded when the troops attacked a bunkerline of the outfit at Pikkulam in the Mannar district.

21 LTTE militants were killed during clashes with the troops at Puthukulam in the Mannar district.

The troops in the Sulanamaruthamadu and other areas of Vavuniya and Mannar district killed 12LTTE militants. Five soldiers were also injured due to the explosion of LTTE laid booby traps.

The SFs neutralised LTTE bunkers in the Malikaittidal area of Vavuniya district and killed at leastfive militants.

During an encounter between the two sides in the area north of Manthai in the Mannar district, the

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troops killed four LTTE militants.

A pro­LTTE Website claimed that the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran met his "elite" Black SeaTigers suicide squad before they triggered an explosion on a Sri Lankan Navy craft that killed 10sailors in Mullaitivu on March 22. The three militants identified by the Website as ‘Lt’ Anbumaran,‘Major’ Niranjan and ‘Major’ Kananeela were photographed with Prabhakaran before the operation.

April 2 The troops advanced another 800 meters into the LTTE­held territory neutralizing the outfit’s FDLsin the Kaliaddanchan village of Mannar district, said military spokesman Brigadier UdayaNanayakkara. "The fierce fire fight lasted for an hour and a half and troops advancing on the LTTEfrontlines gained 800 meters of Tiger territory in the confrontation. Thirteen Tiger cadres were injuredin the confrontation", he added. One soldier was also killed while 12 others were injured during theclashes.

The SFs in the newly captured Sinapandivirichchan area of Vavuniya district foiled an attempt bythe LTTE to re­capture one of their bunkers in the area. In retaliatory action, the troops killed atleast 11 militants and injured five others. Two soldiers were also killed while 15 others sustainedinjuries during the encounter.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Nikawewa area of Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants while injuring two others.

Three militants were either killed or injured by the troops when they attacked an LTTE hideout in thearea north of Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district.

Suspected LTTE militants killed a man and his son when they had gone to collect firewood in theAnuradhapura district.

April 3 At least 11 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Navathkulama area ofVavuniya district.

During a clash between the two sides in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniyadistrict, the troops killed four LTTE militants. One soldier also died of gunshot injuries while fourothers sustained injuries.

The troops shot dead three LTTE militants near the Omanthe Entry/Exit point area of Vavuniyadistrict.

April 4 The troops neutralised an unspecified number of LTTE bunkers at Kallikulam in the Vavuniyadistrict and killed eight militants.

A. M. Razick, secretary to the Ministry of Re­settlement, said that over 50,000 families displaced inclashes in the east during 2006 have now been resettled. "During the last 10 months we havemanaged to resettle 17,938 families in Trincomalee and 31,343 families in Batticaloa," Razick said,adding, this represents over 150,000 individuals. Over 8,000 families are yet to be resettled, hestated. The government's resettlement of the internally displaced people began after it secured theentire Eastern Province from the LTTE in July 2007.

April 5 The troops clashed with several groups of LTTE militants in the areas north of Kiriibbanwewa andJanakapura in the Vavuniya district and killed at least 14 militants. Four soldiers were injured inthese clashes.

11 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Palampiddi, Madhu, Mundipurippu,Nedunkerni and Thirukethiswaram areas of Mannar district. Five soldiers sustained injuries in theseclashes.

April 6 Highway Minister and Chief Government Whip Jeyaraj Fernandopulle and 13 persons were killedand 90 persons injured in a suicide attack carried out by the LTTE at a sporting event in theWeliweriya area, about 25­km north of capital Colombo, of Gampaha district.

At least 21 LTTE militants were killed and nine others injured by the troops during clashes betweenthe two sides in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district.

The troops killed eight LTTE militants in the Adampan, Manikilmarichchi, Kallikulam andMalikaittidal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

Four LTTE militants, including two females, and a soldier were killed in clashes between the twosides in the Madhu camp area of Mannar district. One soldier was injured during one of the clashes.

The troops neutralised three LTTE bunkers and killed four militants in the Malikaittidal area ofVavuniya district.

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During an encounter between the two sides, the SFs killed three LTTE militants in theChanakakulam area of Vavuniya district.

April 7 The Washington Times reported that the LTTE’s political wing has established its branches in atleast 12 countries, including the United States. Citing federal law­enforcement authorities, the reportsaid that the LTTE have quietly established a presence in the US to help bankroll and equip itssecessionist campaign in Sri Lanka. "As part of a global expansion to purchase millions of dollarsworth of anti­aircraft weapons, automatic rifles, grenade launchers, ammunition and other militaryequipment, the LTTE has set up its branches," it reported, adding, the expansion includesoperations in Maryland, New York and New Jersey.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops in an ambush in the Palampiddi area of Mannardistrict.

In another ambush at Chennmaniattuaru, the troops killed four LTTE militants.

The troops killed three LTTE militants, including one female, in two separate incidents atThirukethiswaram and Perankulam areas of Mannar district.

The SFs killed three LTTE militants in the Kiriibbanwewa area of Vavuniya district.

April 8 Seven LTTE militants, including two females, were killed by the SFs in the Madhu, Adampan andVeddayamurippu areas of Mannar district.

Two soldiers and a civilian were killed and one soldier was wounded when a team of army soldierson a patrol were wrongly identified to be LTTE militants and fired upon by the STF personnel atKomari in the Ampara district.

The Colombo magistrate has allowed police to detain a Singapore national suspected of havinglinks with the LTTE until May 7. The magistrate also ordered the police to produce the suspect,Muttusamy Ilangovan, believed to be a senior leader of the LTTE's international naval operations.

April 9 The troops killed at least seven LTTE militants during clashes in the Janakapura jungles andKiriibbanwewa.

During another encounter between the two sides in the Adampan and areas north of Parappakandalin the Mannar district, the security forces (SFs) killed at least four LTTE militants. Three soldierssustained injuries in the clashes.

Election to the Eastern Provincial Council would be held as scheduled on May 10 and the ElectionCommission has agreed to a request by political parties to invite representatives from foreigncountries to monitor it. Dayananda Dissanayake, Commissioner of Elections, told representatives ofregistered parties that the election would not be postponed. The Commission has also declaredApril 28 and 29 as the dates for postal voting.

April 10 Five LTTE militants were killed when the troops neutralised outfit’s bunkers at Udaiyadi in theMannar district.

During another confrontation between the two sides in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas ofVavuniya district, the SFs neutralised an unspecified number of outfits’ bunkers, killing threemilitants while injuring 14 others. Five soldiers sustained injuries in the clashes.

The SFs clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Ilampiddi area of Mannar district and killedthree militants while injuring seven others.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker line in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed threemilitants. Three more militants got injured in the incident.

Two more LTTE bunkers were neutralised by the troops in the Veddayamurippu area of Mannardistrict, killing three militants.

April 11 The troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district andkilled three of them.

Norway does not support the formation of an independent Tamil State in Sri Lanka, Norway's specialenvoy to Colombo, Jon Hanssen­Bauer, told the United National Party (UNP) Member of Parliament(MP) Jayalath Jayawardene and to two leading Sinhalese and Buddhist monks from Sri Lanka on

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the sidelines of an international conference that ended in Oslo on April 11. "Norway will not supportthe establishment of Tamil Eelam," the MP quoted Hanssen­Bauer as saying.

April 12 The troops extended their defence line in the areas north of Giant Tank, north Kathankulam, southeast of Adampan and Periyakulam in the Mannar district after fierce clashes with the LTTE. At least66 militants were killed while over 50 others sustained injuries in the clashes. 10 soldiers were alsokilled and 20 others got injured in the incident.

Five LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured in clashes with the SFs in the Villattikulam,Vinayagapuram, north of Madhu and Chinnavalayankulam areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts.Two soldiers were wounded in the incident.

April 14 More than 25,000 people, including 6,000 students, in the LTTE­held areas in the north­westernregion of the Mannar district face displacement due to the intensified fighting, according to A.Nicholaspillai, the Mannar District Collector. "The entire population of the LTTE­held Madhu andManthai west assistant government agent division, numbering over 25,000, face displacement dueto recent fighting in the area," he said. According to him, the people have moved further north intoLTTE­held Kilinochchi.

The SFs launched attacks on a few LTTE hideouts in the area east of Madhu in the Mannar district.Seven militants were killed in one of these attacks.

During a clash between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa inVavuniya district, five LTTE militants were killed while 11 others were injured. Two soldiers werealso killed and seven others sustained injuries in the incident.

April 15 Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Paleipperumalkadu, Kaddupulan,Vettukkuly, Veddayamurippu and Veppankulam areas of Mannar district. One soldier sustainedinjuries in one of the clashes.

Three militants were killed when the troops clashes with LTTE militants in the Navakkulam,Narrikkulam and east of Madhu areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were injured during theclashes.

The United States Agency for International Development announced that it has awarded a five­year$12 million contract to support regional Government in Sri Lanka's eastern and north centralprovinces.

April 16 The troops killed six LTTE militants and injured nine others during clashes in the Andankulam,Palampiddi, Vinayakankulam, Palamoddai, Kanne Karappu and Periyakulam areas of Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed while eight others sustained injuries in the clashes.

The SFs killed five LTTE militants while injuring 47 others during clashes in the Janakapura,Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district. Nine soldiers were also wounded duringthe clashes.

During clashes between the two sides in the Kaliaddanchan, Manthotam and Vediya Murippu areasof Mannar district, the SFs killed four LTTE militants and injured three others. Two soldiers wereinjured in these incidents.

April 17 The troops during clashes with the LTTE in the Andankulam east area of Vavuniya district killedfour militants and injured eight others. Two soldiers were also killed while five more sustainedinjuries in the clashes.

Six LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Andankulam east area of Vavuniya district.

During an encounter between the two sides at Kokkuthuduvai in the Vavuniya district, the SFs killedat least four militants. One trooper was also killed while another sustained injuries in the clash.

Four more LTTE militants, including two female cadres, were killed by the troops in the Kattikulamand Tenvadaiyan areas of Mannar district.

The Sri Lankan Government said that it will be ready for talks with the LTTE if they eschewedterrorism but has not made any formal contact with the Norwegian peace facilitators on resumingthe process of stalled negotiations.

April 18 13 militants were killed and three others injured as the troops launched attacks on LTTE hideouts atKathankulam and Malikaittidal in the Mannar district. One soldier was wounded in the incident.

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The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the area east of Madhu and killed 12 of them whileinjuring eight others.

Three LTTE militants and a soldier were killed and 21 militants were wounded during clashes in thearea north of Janakapura, north of Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam in the Vavuniya district.

The French relief organization ­ Action contre la Faim (ACF or Action against Hunger) ­ thatoperated in conflict areas in Sri Lanka and lost 17 of its local workers in a single incident at Mutturin the Trincomalee district on August 4, 2006 has decided to withdraw, a statement from theorganization said. The AFC cited the slow progress of the investigations carried out by thePresidential commission for its decision to pull out.

April 19 Four militants were killed when clashes erupted between the LTTE and SFs in the Muhamalai andNagarkovil areas of Jaffna district.

April 20 13 LTTE militants were killed during separate encounters with the troops in the Kathankulam,Veddayapiru, Veddayampuramkulam, Adampan and Malikaittidal areas of Mannar district.

MI 24 fighter helicopters of the SLAF neutralised an LTTE mortar location and one of the outfit’sforward command posts in the area east of Adampan in the Mannar district. 12 militants were killedand an equal number of them were wounded in the attack.

The troops captured two LTTE trenches and shot dead at least five militants during clashes in theAndankulam and Puttankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

April 21 The troops in a pre­dawn attack captured the LTTE main operation base in Mannar, codenamed"Lima­3", located east of Kathankulam. A stretch of about 1,300 meters also came under thetroops’ control while seven militants were killed in the operation. Four soldiers were wounded in theincident.

Six LTTE cadres, including two female militants, were killed during clashes with the troops in thePalampiddi, Kathankulam and Mantota areas of Mannar district.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district and killed twomilitants while injuring two others.

The troops attacked a LTTE bunker in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district, killing one militantand injuring two others.

April 22 The SFs killed six LTTE militants at different places in the Welioya area of Vavuniya district. Over20 militants and five soldiers were injured in these clashes.

April 23 169 militants and 43 soldiers are reported to have died in a fierce gun­battle between the SFs andthe LTTE cadres in and around Muhamalai FDL in the Jaffna district. While 120 soldiers werewounded in the encounter, 33 soldiers were reported missing. "LTTE terrorists came and attackedour forward line this morning, we have retaliated and captured about 400 to 500­metres of LTTEarea in Muhamalai," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

At least 16 LTTE militants were killed and more than 31 others injured during encounters in the areanorth of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed whilefive others sustained injuries during the incidents.

Five LTTE militants were killed during separate encounters in the Navakkulam,Thachchanamarudamadu, Kirichchuddan and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

Nine militants were killed and three others were wounded during encounters in the Veddayamurippu,Mantota, Mankadu and Pullekyarkulam areas of Mannar district.

April 24 At least 27 militants were killed and 12 others injured as heavy fighting erupted between the LTTEand the troops in the Malikaittidal area of Mannar district when the troops attacked and capturedoutfit’s fortified bunker line and a trench line. Three soldiers were killed and seven more injured inthe clashes.

At Parayanakulam in the Mannar district, the SFs attacked a LTTE bunker with small arms andkilled four militants.

Three LTTE militants were killed and 12 others wounded during clashes with the troops in the areanorth of Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam in the Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were injured inthese incidents.

Aril 25 26 civilians, including seven women, were killed and 40 others injured when the LTTE detonated a

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Aril 25 26 civilians, including seven women, were killed and 40 others injured when the LTTE detonated abomb inside a Ceylon Transport Board bus parked at the public bus stand in Piliyandala suburb ofColombo, at around 7:00 pm.

At least 19 LTTE militants were killed and several others wounded when the troops attacked severalLTTE hideouts and captured their trench lines at different places in the Mannar and Vavuniyadistricts.

April 26 21 militants and seven soldiers were killed when the troops retaliated to an LTTE attempt to stormthe SFs defence lines in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district.

At least 25 militants were killed when clashes erupted between the troops and the LTTE militants atseveral places in the Vavuniya and Mannar districts. 11 soldiers were wounded in the clashes.

The troops killed four LTTE militants who were moving ahead of the security forces FDLs in theareas south of Muhamalai and Nagarkovil in Jaffna district.

The troops attacked a group of LTTE militants in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniyadistrict and killed three of them.

April 27 An LTTE light aircraft bombed military FDLs in Welioya, the military said. Military spokesmanBrigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said three bombs were dropped by the LTTE at the military FDLs inWelioya but caused no damages to property or personnel. "At about 1:35 a.m. they came anddropped three bombs on the Welioya Forward Defence line. Nobody was hurt, and no damage toany property," he stated.

At least 14 LTTE militants were killed during clashes between the troops and militants at severalplaces in the Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Two soldiers were also killed while four of themsustained injuries.

Security forces killed five militants in the area north of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulamin the Vavuniya district area and recovered a large number of anti­personnel mines and improvisedexplosive devices. 12 soldiers were injured in these clashes.

Five LTTE militants, identified as Yavili, Malarini, Wellappan, Malarmadhi and Manalan, were killedby the troops in the Veddayamurippu area of Mannar district.

The troops in an ambush in the Palampiddi area of Mannar district killed four LTTE militants.

April 28 Three LTTE militants were killed by the in the Kaddupulan and Kattikulam areas of Mannar district.

April 29 Seven LTTE militants, including six senior cadres, were killed when the troops neutralised two ofthe outfit’s bunkers in the Manipullaukulam area of Mannar district.

The SFs attacked an LTTE camp in the Muttlamadittakulam area of Vavuniya district and killed sixmilitants while injuring four others.

The troops clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Muttlamadittakulam area of Vavuniyadistrict and killed four of them. One soldier was also killed while another sustained injuries in theexchange of fire.

At Navathkulama in the Vavuniya district, the troops neutralized an LTTE bunker and killed threemilitants.

London's Metropolitan Police arrested three suspects in London and Wales for allegedly supportingthe LTTE in Sri Lanka as a part of an investigation into the funding of the terrorist group.

April 30 At least 40 LTTE militants, including a leader, were killed and several others wounded as the troopscaptured the outfit’s 18­Base in the Veppankulam and Kallikulam areas of Mannar district. Sixsoldiers were injured in the operation. Subsequently, two MI­24 fighter crafts of the Sri Lanka AirForce providing aerial cover to the advancing ground troops bombed two LTTE camps in theKarukkakulam and Chalampaikulam areas.

11 militants were killed and 21 soldiers were injured in fighting between the two sides in the LTTE­held areas of Periyakulam, Karukkakulam and Kathankulam in the Mannar district.

May 1 Troops captured the LTTE­held Karukkakulam town in the Mannar district, killing at least 15militants. One soldier was also killed in the incident.

The SFs neutralized four LTTE bunkers and killed 11 militants while injuring an equal number ofthem during attacks in the Navathkulama, Muttiramadittakulam and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniyadistrict.

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During an encounter in the area north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa, the SFs killed fivemilitants.

At Veddayamurippu in the Mannar district, the troops destroyed a LTTE bunker line killing fivemilitants and injuring at least seven others.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the Karukkakulam, Nedunkandal andVeddayamurippu areas of the Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the LTTE domination in the northern part of the countrywould end soon. "The security forces are advancing step by step in the northern theatre too. Soonthe people there too would be liberated," Rajapakse said in his May Day rally at Dehiattakandiya inAmpara district of eastern Sri Lanka.

May 2 An unspecified number of LTTE bunkers in the Veddayamurippu, Allikulam, Palamoddai, Manthaiand Malikaittidal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts were captured by the troops during clashesin which 19 militants were killed and 15 others were injured. Two soldiers were killed while threeothers sustained injuries in the clashes.

May 3 At least 15 LTTE militants, most of whom were from the "Imran Pandian regiment" – said to beLTTE’s most acclaimed regiment ­ were killed in an offensive launched by the troops in theChettiyarkattaiadampan area of Mannar district.

12 LTTE militants were killed and 10 others were injured during clashes with the troops in thePalampiddi, Adampan and Nedunkandal areas of the Mannar and Vavuniya districts. One soldierwas also killed while six others sustained injuries in the clashes.

The troops captured about 1.5 sq km stretch of land in the LTTE­held territory of Periyakulam in theMannar district killing 10 militants while injuring 10 others. Two soldiers were wounded during theclashes.

During an encounter between the two sides in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district, theSFs killed seven militants while more than 20 others were injured. Two soldiers were killed and fourothers sustained injuries in the incident.

The SFs clashed with several groups of LTTE militants in the Ethawatunuwewa, Kokkuthuduvai,north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district and killed four of them. Fivesoldiers were also killed in the incidents while three others were wounded.

May 4 During clashes between the SFs and LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and Palampiddi areas ofVavuniya district, the SFs killed three militants.

The military said that approximately 245 soldiers were killed in clashes with the LTTE in 2007 whileover 240 lost their lives in the four months of this year, military spokesman Udaya Nanayakara. Headded that 2500 LTTE cadres were killed during 2007. According to the military, over 3300 LTTEmilitants and over 240 soldiers have been killed in fighting till April this year.

Despite the Sri Lankan Navy's claim that it had destroyed all 10 arms ships of the LTTE, thecountry's intelligence agencies have revealed that the outfit has unloaded at least three shiploads ofmilitary hardware in the last two months.

May 5 10 LTTE militants, including two area leaders, were killed and 52 others injured by the SFs in anencounter at the Muhamalai FDL of Jaffna district. Two soldiers were killed and 14 others sustainedinjuries in the LTTE attack. One soldier, meanwhile, was reported missing.

At least nine LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured in intermittent clashes between thetwo sides in the Navakkulam, Palampiddi and Maruthamadu areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with LTTE militants and killed five of them while injuring 12 others in Welioyaarea of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were reportedly injured in the clash.

The SFs in Mannar killed five LTTE militants when they launched an operation and captured onesquare kilometer of land in the Chalampaikkulam area.

May 6 The troops captured about 400­600 square metres stretch of land in the LTTE­held territory ofAlankulam in the Mannar district and killed seven militants while injuring 10 others. Five soldiers

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were also injured in the operation. Also, the troops foiled an LTTE attempt to re­enter into the samearea later and during the ensuing encounter killed six more militants.

The troops opened fire towards a tractor carrying LTTE militants through a jungle path in the areanorth of Periyamadu in Vavuniya district killing six militants aboard the vehicle.

The SFs attacked a line of LTTE bunkers in the Palampiddi area and neutralised six bunkers. Sixmilitants were killed and a soldier injured during the incident.

The SFs in the Manthotam area of Mannar district in two separate attacks destroyed three LTTEbunkers killing five militants. 10 militants and two soldiers were reported wounded in theconfrontation.

In the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya district, SFs opened fire towards a tractor carryingthree militants and killed all of them. One LTTE bunker was also neutralised in the area.

The troops captured the Palampiddi Bridge in the LTTE­held area of Palampiddi in the Vavuniyadistrict following a fierce gun­battle. Providing support to the ground troops the Sri Lanka Air Forcefighter jets bombed an LTTE target located one­km north of Palampiddi junction in the same area.Citing intercepted LTTE communication, defence sources said the outfit suffered heavy casualtiesthough the details are yet to be ascertained.

Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar alias A. C. Shanthan (51), the de­facto leader of the LTTE in theUnited Kingdom, was re­arrested in connection with terrorist funding and procurement activities.

The RCMP counterterrorism investigators in Toronto have seized a letter signed by the LTTE chiefVelupillai Prabhakaran directing Canadian Tamils to send him Canadian $3­million, according topolice files released on May 6 by the Federal Court.

Speaking in the Parliament, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said 120 SF personnel fromthe Army, Navy and the Air force were killed and another 945 were injured in clashes during April2008. He also said 56 civilians were also killed while 145 others were injured.

President Mahinda Rajapakse challenged the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to 'clash with himdirectly' and declared that his Government would continue in its bid to flush rebels out of theirstronghold in the north.

May 7 During intermittent clashes between the two sides in the areas north of Parappakandal,Kathankulam, Alankulam, Chalampaikkulam, Nedunkandal and Adampampekkulam in the Mannardistrict, the SFs killed 12 militants. Six soldiers sustained injuries in the clashes.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the SFs in the Palampiddi area of Vavuniya district.

May 8 10 LTTE militants were killed as the Army captured a two square kilometer stretch of land in theLTTE­held territory, about 5­6 km south of Adampan town in the Mannar district. One soldier wasalso killed while another was wounded in the incident.

During clashes with the LTTE militants in the Vedamakilam, Alkaddivalikulam, Palampiddi,Villiyakulam and Palamoddai areas of Vavuniya district, the troops killed three militants whileinjuring five others.

Three LTTE militants were killed and nine others wounded by the troops in the Janakapura,Andankulam and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.

The British police have charged four men with conspiring to support the LTTE, Scotland Yard said.The four were arrested under anti­terrorism laws and are accused of owning computers, radioequipment and high­power magnets for terrorist purposes, AFP reported from London. The four menwere identified as Arunachalam Chrishanthakumar alias AC Shanthan, 51; JegatheswaranMuraleetharan alias Muralee Tharan, 46; Jeyatheswaran Vythyatharan alias Vithy Tharan, 39; andMurugesu Jegatheeswaran alias M Jegan, 33.

May 9 Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said that the SFs captured one square km. areain Alankulam of Mannar. "33 LTTE cadres were killed and 40 injured in the confrontation",Nanayakkara stated. One soldier was killed and five others wounded in the clashes. Five soldierswere reported missing in action.

The troops captured the strategic Adampan town in Mannar district. "At least 15 LTTE cadres werekilled and many others injured when troops marched forward and confronted the Tiger cadresresulting in the capture of the Adampan junction and it’s liberation from the LTTE’s grip at around8.30 a.m.", military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. Two soldiers were killed andseven others injured in the incident.

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14 LTTE militants were killed in the general (area under Government control) of Vavuniya district.

11 persons, including two women, were killed and 29 others injured in a bomb blast at the City CafeHotel near the Ampara Clock tower in Ampara town.

During an encounter between the two sides in the areas north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa, theSFs killed 12 militants. Three soldiers were reportedly injured in the clashes.

In Mannar, clashes erupted between the two sides in the Manipullkulam, Nedunkandal and Mantotaareas in which 11 militants were killed and five wounded. Troops also captured two bunkersconnected to LTTE trenches during clearing operations in the Manipullkulam.

Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias Karuna Amman, founder of the TMVP, a break way faction ofthe LTTE, was released following his imprisonment for possessing false documents, contrary toSection 25 of the Control of Identification Documents (offences) Act 2005. He now remains underimmigration detention powers, a British High Commission statement said.

May 10 18 LTTE militants were killed when the troops attacked the outfit’s hideouts in the areas north ofPalampiddi, Vedamakilam, Kurukkandai, north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniyadistrict.

Voting in the elections for the Eastern Provincial Council in Sri Lanka ended at 4.00pm (local time)amid accusations of violence, attacks and rigging. Elections officials said the estimated voterturnout was approximately 65% in Ampara, 55% in Batticaloa and 60% in Trincomalee.

May 11 10 LTTE militants were killed and more than five others injured during clashes with the troops in thePalamoddai, Palampiddi and Periyamadu areas of Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed by the troops during encounters in the Kiriibbanwewa andJanakapura areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier sustained injuries during the clash inJanakapura.

The UPFA won the first ever Provincial Council Election in the East, securing 20 (18+02 bonusseats) out of 37 seats on offer, while polling 52.21 per cent of the total votes. The UNP whichobtained 42.38 per cent of the total valid votes got 15 seats while the Janatha Vimukthi Peramunaand the Tamil Democratic National Alliance secured one seat each. The UPFA won two out of thethree districts, ­ Batticaloa and Ampara while the Trincomalee district was won by the UNP. A totalnumber of 591,676 (65.78 per cent) voters exercised their franchise out of a total of 982,721.However, the number of rejected votes was quite high with 54,780 (8.47 per cent) getting annulled.

May 12 Five militants were killed in the Palampiddi area of Vavuniya district as the troops destroyed fourLTTE bunkers.

SFs killed five LTTE militants in the Periyamadu area of Vavuniya district.

May 13 Four LTTE militants were killed and 11 others injured during clashes with the troops in theAndankulam, Vadukkanari and Janakapura areas of the Vavuniya district. Five soldiers werereportedly injured during these clashes.

Four militants, including a female cadre, are reported to have died and five soldiers were woundedduring clashes in the Sivarayankulam, Mundumrippu, Navvi, Chinnavahayankaddu, Nedunkandaland Palamoddai areas of the Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

A senior leader of the EPDP, Maheshwari Velyanthan, was shot dead by the LTTE militants at herresidence at Karaweddi in the Nelliadi area of Jaffna district.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that his Government was ready for talks with the LTTE, providedthe latter is ready to give up arms and demonstrate "genuine intent" to evolve a political solution.Speaking at the Oxford Union, Rajapakse referred to the recently­concluded elections for theEastern Provincial Council and said though many observers said the LTTE was invincible, theGovernment had freed the province from "terror".

The Government will not enter into any kind of cease­fire agreement or temporary pacts with theLTTE in the future under any circumstances, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said.

May 14 14 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the areas north of Janakapura,Kiriibbanwewa and Welioya in Vavuniya district.

The SFs attacked two LTTE bunkers in the Kallikulam area of Vavuniya district and killed at leastsix militants.

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During an encounter in the Periyamadu area of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed four militants whileone soldier died during the clash.

Troops ambushed a group of LTTE militants killing three of them while injuring three others in thePeriyamadu area of Vavuniya district. While four soldiers were wounded in the incident, one soldierreportedly went missing.

Sri Lanka Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara revealed that the LTTE have started toconscript children in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts who failed the GCE ordinary levelexaminations in 2007. Citing military intelligence sources, he said the outfit has banned all childrenin areas still under its control from sitting for the examination for a second time.

May 15 18 LTTE militants were killed by the troops during clashes in the Vairapuliyankulam, VilakkavattiKulam, Palampiddi, Periyamadu and Palamoddai areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was alsokilled while three others sustained injuries in these clashes.

Nine LTTE militants were killed in encounters with the troops in the Alankulam and Nedunkandalareas of Mannar district. One soldier was injured in the clashes.

During a series of clashes with the LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura, Andankulamand Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district, the troops killed seven militants. One soldier who wasinjured in the explosion of an LTTE laid improvised explosive device in the area died later.

The Government spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the law of the land willbe applied to Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, founder of the TMVPif he returns to Sri Lanka.

May 16 10 persons, including seven police personnel, were killed and 95 others were injured as a LTTEsuicide bomber on a motorcycle laden with explosives rammed into a bus carrying police officersaround 12.05 pm at the Colombo Fort.

The troops killed seven militants, including six women, were killed by the troops during clearingoperations in the Periyamadu area of the Vavuniya district.

During an encounter between the two sides in the Periyamadu, Palampiddi and Palamoddai areas,the troops killed five militants.

President Mahinda Rajapakse appointed S. Chandrakanthan a.k.a. Pillayan as the first ChiefMinister of the EPC.

May 17 The troops captured Palampiddi junction in the Mannar district, killing 13 LTTE militants. Thejunction is strategically important as it connects Vedithalthivu in northwest, Madhu in south,Mullikulam in southeast and Nedunkandal in northeast.

The troops killed seven LTTE militants and injured 10 others in clashes at Palamoddai in theVavuniya district and areas north of Murunkan, Devolkandan, Veddayamurippu, north ofUyilankulam and Periyakulam in the Mannar district. Two soldiers were injured during the clash inthe north of Uyilankulam. Two soldiers were wounded in LTTE­triggered APM explosions atDevolkandan. The troops also recovered 25 APMs during subsequent clearing operations.

Six LTTE militants were killed and three others wounded by the security forces during clashes atJanakapura and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district.

India has "too many problems" of its own and cannot bear the "extra burden" from backing aseparate Tamil State to be carved out from Sri Lanka, said Prime Minister RatnasiriWickremanayake.

The ruling UPFA named two TMVP members who contested from the Batticaloa and Trincomaleedistricts in the EPC polls and were unable to secure any seats, for the two bonus seats awarded tothe party. Former Batticaloa Government Agent R. Maunagurusami who contested in the Batticaloadistrict and Priyantha Premakumara who contested in the Trincomalee district had been named forthe bonus seats.

May 18 26 LTTE militants and five soldiers were killed while three soldiers sustained injuries as the troopsfoiled two attempts by the militants to capture SFs defence line at Nedunkandal in the Mannardistrict.

The SFs captured a LTTE bunker line at Kurukkandai in the Mannar district killing seven militants.Four soldiers were also killed in the clash while three others sustained injuries in the incident. Threemore soldiers went missing during the clash.

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During clashes between the two sides in the Navakkulam, Marudhakulam, Palamoddai,Mundipurippu and Kallikulam areas of Vavuniya district, troops killed 10 militants while injuring sixothers.

Seven militants were killed while more than 12 others were injured in clashes with the troops in theAlankulam and Nedunkandal areas of Mannar district. One soldier was killed while another waswounded in the clashes.

At Ampaddankulam in the Vavuniya district, the SFs killed six militants.

Three militants were killed while 13 others sustained injuries during clashes between the two sidesin the areas north of Janakapura, Kokkuthuduvai, Andankulam and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniyadistrict. Three soldiers sustained injuries in these clashes.

The Army has extended an amnesty deadline for its deserters by two more weeks, as nearly 4,000deserters had reported back during the first two weeks, the military said. The army headquarterssaid that some 3,709 army deserters had reported back for duty since May 2 under the amnestyperiod ended May 16 which was extended later. The decision was reportedly taken followingrequests from several sections, including the deserters urging more time to rejoin the force.

May 19 Four LTTE militants were killed and 20 others injured by the troops during separate incidents in theKokkuthuduvai, Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district on May 19, reports SLA.

During an encounter in the Palampiddi area of Vavuniya district, the troops killed two militants. Onesoldier was also killed while another sustained injuries in the incident.

The SFs clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Periyamadu area of the Vavuniya district andkilled three of them.

The TMVP insisted that its leader Pillayan would remain the Chief Minister of the Eastern Provinceeven if Karuna Amman is deported to Sri Lanka, despite the leadership title still being held byKaruna.

May 20 At least 14 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured during an encounter with the troops inthe Periyamadu area of Vavuniya district.

Five LTTE militants were killed and 15 others sustained injuries during clashes with the troops inthe Palaiandankulam, Kokkuthuduvai, Kiriibbanwewa, Thunukkakulam and Pattankulam areas ofthe same district.

A senior ‘commander’ of the LTTE, identified as "Brigadier Balraj", who had led several attacksagainst the Sri Lankan military died of a heart attack in Kilinochchi, the LTTE announced. Balrajwas the "first commander of the LTTE's conventional fighting formation, Charles Antony Brigade,established in 1991."

The French police detained two LTTE leaders who evaded arrest in 2007 and fled the country whenpolice closed in on them during the major round up of top outfit’s leaders operating in Paris. TheSous­Directorate Anti­Terrorism of France announced that the duo, Subramanium Muhundan andYogarasa Sivarasan, were arrested in Paris on May 13 after investigations lasting several months.

May 21 17 LTTE militants were killed and 26 others injured during clashes with the troops in the areas northof Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district.

SFs killed three LTTE militants during encounters in the Mundipurippu and Palamoddai areas of theMannar and Vavuniya districts.

May 22 11 LTTE militants were killed and 12 others injured during clashes with the troops in theJanakapura, Kokkuthuduvai, Kiriibbanwewa and surrounding areas of Welioya in the Vavuniyadistrict.

Two TMPVP members and three civilians were killed and four persons were wounded byunidentified assailants in two separate incidents. "Two TMVP cadres, including the party's chieforganiser for Katankudi, were shot dead by unidentified gunmen around 11.15 a.m. In a separateincident, also at Arayampathi in Katankudi area, three Muslim civilians were killed by unidentifiedgunmen around 12.45 p.m.," said military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

At Periyamadu in the Vavuniya district, troops neutralised an LTTE bunker line and killed fivemilitants while injuring four others.

Five LTTE militants were killed during an encounter with the troops in the Parappakandattan area ofMannar district.

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May 23 16 civilians, including six children, were killed in a SLA Deep Penetration Unit (DPU)­triggeredclaymore mine explosion targeting a Hiace van returning from Muzhangkaavil hospital to Kilinochchion the Murikandi ­ Akkaraayan Road at around 2:15pm, claimed the pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net.Earlier, Assistant Director of Fisheries in Mannar, J.G.Jujin, and another civilian were killed when aDPU triggered claymore mine explosion targeted an ambulance of the Kilinochchi hospital atMuzhangkaavil at around at 8:00 am. The SLA, however, denying its involvement and said that theareas alleged lie about 100­km away from the northern most Omanthai Entry/Exit point and defencelines under the Government control in Vavuniya.

Four LTTE militants were killed and more than a dozen injured by the troops during separateencounters in the Periyamadu, Navathkulama, Nedunkandal, Wedimurippu and Kurukkandai areasof Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

May 24 Five LTTE militants were killed and 14 others wounded by the troops during clashes in theJanakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while fiveothers sustained injuries in the clashes.

During encounters between the two sides in the Mundipurippu, Veddayamurippu, Malikaittidal andNedunkandal areas of Mannar and Vavuniya districts, the troops killed two LTTE militants andinjured eight others. One soldier was reportedly killed in the incident.

May 25 10 LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Mundipurippu area of theVavuniya district.

10 militants were killed and a dozen others injured during clashes with the troops in theKurukkandai, Paleipperumalkadu, Pediyaarippu, Nedunkandal, Maravitikannadi and Welioya northareas of the Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

In clashes between the two sides in the Palampiddi, Arsamadu and Periyamadu areas of theVavuniya district, the troops killed six militants and injured three others.

The SFs killed three LTTE militants in the area north of Palampiddi in the Vavuniya district.

The US has asked the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran to give up the demand for a separateTamil State saying the community wanted a solution to the over two­decade­old ethnic conflictwithin a "united" Sri Lanka. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Robert Blake, said that giving up the ideaof a separate State, would give Prabhakaran "lots of credibility to respond to lots of scepticism herein the South (Sri Lanka) that the LTTE would never negotiate with the government."

May 26 Eight passengers, including four women, were killed when a LTTE parcel bomb with a timerexploded in a crowded train near Dehiwala, a suburb of capital Colombo, at around 4.50pm (SLT).More than 70 persons were injured in the explosion which occurred in the fifth compartment of theKalutara district­bound train, Senior Superintendent of Police R. Gunasekara said.

The IED expert of the LTTE in Mannar, identified as Dhora, was killed in an air strike carried out bythe SLAF MI­24 fighter craft in the area north of Adampan in the Mannar. An explosive dump of theLTTE was also destroyed in the attack.

The TMVP leader and Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan admittedthat members of his organisation were responsible for the recent abductions at Eravur in Batticaloa.

13 LTTE militants were killed and a dozen others were injured in clashes between the militants andtroops in the Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

Five LTTE militants were killed by the troops in the area north of Janakapura and Andankulamjungle areas in the Vavuniya district.

May 27 SFs killed seven LTTE militants and wounded 14 others during encounters in the Janakapura,Andankulam, Punnankulam and Palaiandankulam areas of the Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with two groups of LTTE militants in the Nelukkulama and Mundipurippu areasof Vavuniya district and killed four of them.

Four LTTE militants were killed and 20 others sustained injuries during encounters with the troops inthe Kuddeadi, Alankulam, Karankuddi, Piriyanweli, Veddayamurippu, Minnukandi and Mankaduareas of Mannar district.

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President Mahinda Rajapakse declared that his Government will not stop the drive against terrorismunder any circumstances. He said "There will be no room for terrorism. We will not stop thecampaign against terror…This is a war against terrorism, not against the Tamil people. I will notstop until terrorism is defeated."

May 28 11 militants were killed and seven others injured during clashes with the SFs in the Olumaduwai,Periyamadu, Sinnamalayankaddu and Kappankulam areas of the Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

During a clash between the two sides in the Nedunkandal area of Mannar district, the SFs killed fourmore militants while injuring three others.

Four LTTE militants were killed and 10 others were injured in clashes with the troops in theJanakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

Paramarupasingham Devakumar, the Jaffna area correspondent for SIRASA, MTV and SHAKTHITV channels, and his associate Mahendran Varathan, employee at the Jaffna District Secretariat,were hacked to death by suspected LTTE militants in the Navali area of Jaffna district.

The LTTE has targeted civilians on 21 occasions killing 149 persons and injuring 560 others so farin 2008, according to military figures. Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara informedthe media on May 28 that from January 1, 2008 to date, the LTTE has staged 21 attacks oncivilians in the form of claymore mine explosions, suicide attacks, parcel bombs and shootingincidents. Since March 2007, the 57 division of the Sri Lanka Army has been successful incapturing 600 square kilometres of LTTE­held territory in the North, he revealed. The LTTE hasshifted their defence lines to Mallavi and Tharukkui areas 45­km behind the Army Defence Lines inMannar, he added.

The Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan agreed to remove the TMVPcamp at Puthukudirippu, a village in the border area between the Tamil and Muslim sectors atEravur in Batticaloa district, as a measure towards restoring normalcy in the East.

May 29 The SFs foiled a pre­dawn sea attack by the LTTE sinking three Sea Tiger boats and killing at least15 militants. One soldier was killed while two others sustained injuries during the clash between theLTTE and troops at the Chiraththivu islet of Jaffna district.

14 LTTE militants were killed and 42 others injured as SFs captured one of the outfit’s majorstrategic bases known as "Munnagam" in the Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

LTTE militants opened artillery fire towards Jaffna town centre from their bases in Pooneryn whichstruck 18 people sleeping in their houses. While six of the civilians died in the attack, 12 otherswere injured.

Six LTTE militants were killed as the SLN launched an attack on two Sea Tiger boats transportingfuel barrels to un­cleared areas (area not under Government control) via the seas offUddimukkanthurai in the Mannar.

Six militants were killed and more than 20 others wounded as the troops launched attacks in thejungle areas of Periyamadu Kulam, Palamoddai, Andankulam, Kiriibbanwewa and Janakapura areasof Vavuniya district. Two soldiers sustained injuries in the incident at Andankulam.

Three persons, including a woman, were killed by the militants at the Zone 18 village inAnuradhapura district.

May 30 19 LTTE militants were killed and more than 15 others injured during clashes with the troops in theKodikamam, Nedunkandal and Pullekyarkulam areas of Mannar district. Three soldiers were alsokilled while 10 others sustained injuries in these clashes.

Three LTTE militants were killed and four others injured by the troops during encounters in theNavathkulama, Periyamadu Kulam, Periyamadu and Mundipurippu areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniyadistrict and killed three militants and wounded two others.

May 31 Three soldiers and two LTTE militants were killed during clashes in the area north of Janakapuraand Andankulam in the Vavuniya district. Two soldiers and an equal number of militants wereinjured in the clashes.

Five militants were killed and two others injured during clashes with the SFs in the Andankulam,Chandamandankulam, Panikkaneru, Periyamandankulam, Olumaduwai and west of Navavi areas ofthe Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Five soldiers sustained injuries in these clashes.

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Three LTTE militants were killed in encounters with the SFs in the Kilaly, Nagarkovil and Muhamalaiareas of Jaffna district.

June 1 Eight LTTE militants were killed by the security forces during encounters in the Periyamadu andMundipurippu areas of Vavuniya district.

At least three militants were killed by the troops near Nagarkovil and Muhamalai FDLs of Jaffnadistrict.

A negotiated end to the conflict is still possible but not before the LTTE is "verifiably demilitarisedand democratised," said Dayan Jayatilleka, Sri Lanka's Permanent Representative to the UN.

June 2 The TMVP Eravurpattu Pradeshiya Sabha Deputy Chairman, Aiyathurai Pushpanadan alias Kattan,and his bodyguard, Arsakoon Pullai Mohandas alias Amburaj, were shot dead by suspected ‘pistolgang’ militants of the LTTE at Eruvur in the Kalawanchikudi area of Batticaloa district.

Seevaratnam Prabaharan alias Pulidevan, chief of the LTTE Peace Secretariat, has been placedunder arrest on the direct orders of the outfit’s leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Defence Ministrysaid. "The arrest has been made as a result of a worsening internal dispute among key LTTE… Anarmed gang led by LTTE's intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman had made the arrest few daysback," the statement said.

The Government has said that the LTTE has shown no indication to enter into a dialogue in order toend the conflict. "We are looking for a negotiated end to this conflict... so far they have shown noinclination to enter into any constructive dialogue with a view to ending this conflict," ForeignMinistry Secretary Palitha Kohona said. "The LTTE is free to come back to the negotiating tablebut... must do so genuinely with a commitment to negotiating a sustainable peace and for that itmust also leave aside its weaponry," he added.

At least seven LTTE militants were killed and 17 others injured during clashes with the troops in theChunnikadukulam, Koddeikulam, Mullikannady, Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniyadistrict. While two soldiers were killed and two others injured in the fighting at Janakapura, two moresoldiers were reported wounded elsewhere.

June 3 16 LTTE militants were killed and at least 10 others injured as the troops attacked several LTTEcamps and bunkers in the Navathkulama, Periyamadu Kulam, Kowitkuchdu, Udaiyadi andNedunkandal areas of the Vavuniya and Mannar districts.

The LTTE has said that the national question cannot be resolved by killing innocent civilians orpolitical leaders. In an interview with BBC Sandeshaya, head of the outfit’s political wing,Balasingham Nadesan, said, "You cannot resolve the Tamil ethnic issue by killing the president orinnocent civilians." He also denied any knowledge of killing civilians in the south and said that manyother elements are operating in the south. Stating that it is the responsibility of the Government toinitiate a fresh dialogue he accused the Government of launching military offensives against theLTTE and denied that the outfit is being defeated by the military in the north.

He also denied media reports that head of organisation’s peace secretariat, SeevarathnamPulidevan, has been arrested by the outfit’s leadership. Separately, denying media reports of hisarrest Pulidevan himself accused the Sri Lanka military of ‘fabricating stories when they cannotachieve military victories’. He also dismissed reports of an internal dispute within the LTTE,insisting that the organization continued to function as usual. Pulidevan also ruled out the possibilityof having peace talks with the Government without the participation of Norwegian facilitators andadded, "The LTTE has no problems. Our only intention is to receive the Norwegians in Kilinochchias they are the official facilitators. Till then we will not discuss anything."

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that India’s maritime surveillance has helped Sri Lankain a big way in facing the challenge from the LTTE. He said, "The navies of India and Sri Lanka arecooperating to the extent at which the interests of both countries are safeguarded vis­à­vis thethreat that can emanate from the [maritime] movement of terrorists led by the LTTE."

June 4 The SFs confronted with the LTTE militants in the Villattikulam and Navavi areas of Vavuniyadistrict killing 11 militants while injuring at least 15 others. Three soldiers also received injuries inaction.

11 more LTTE militants were killed in confrontations with the troops in the Kaddupulan,Kurukkandai, Nedunkandal and Parappakandattan areas of Mannar district. Seven more militantsand a soldier were reportedly received injuries during the clashes.

As clashes erupted between the two sides in the Kokkutoduvai, Andankulam, Janakapura andWelioya areas of Vavuniya district the SFs killed five LTTE militants and wounded an equal number

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of them.

At Periyamadu in the Vavuniya district, the troops shot dead at least six militants and injured threeothers in two separate clashes.

The SFs at Periyamadu in the Vavuniya district opened fire towards a tractor with LTTE militants onboard and killed three militants while others managed to escape.

At least 17 persons were injured in a bomb blast along the coastal railway track at Dehiwala, asuburb of capital Colombo, police said. Police spokesman Ranjith Gunasekera said that anunidentified assailant attempted to lob a parcel at the Colombo bound train from Panadura, butfailed as civilians in the area prevented it by screaming. "After noticing that the people had seenhim, the suspect had thrown the parcel towards the railway track and ran away from the scene," headded. The railway track was slightly damaged due to the blast. The security forces later arrestedthe prime suspect, identified as Jatheesan Balasubramaniyam, who was behind the bomb blast. Hewas arrested near Irattaperiyakulama road block while he was attempting to pass through towardsVavuniya.

June 5 30 LTTE militants were killed as the troops captured one kilometre stretch of the main defence lineof the LTTE covering the Mannar 'Rice Bowl' by reaching the edge of the 'Rice Bowl' north ofAdampan on June 4­evening, military sources said. "This was the first time the troops in Mannarfront captured a stretch of LTTE main defence line stretching from Pappamoddai in the north ofManthai from the seaside towards Parappakandattan in the north of Giant Tank for more than 11Kilometres covering the Mannar 'Rice Bowl'," an unnamed senior military official said. The LTTEconstructed this defence line with a six to eight feet high earth bund, a water canal and a trench lineforcibly using the civilians living in the un­cleared areas (area not under Government control) a fewmonths back to face the advancing troops.

Four LTTE militants were killed and eight others inured during separate clashes with the troops inthe Periyamadu, Periyamandankulam, Kopilkurunala and Villamadukulam areas of Vavuniya district.One soldier was also killed while eight others received injuries during these confrontations.

The SFs confronted the LTTE militants in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district andkilled four more militants. One soldier was also killed while two others sustained injuries in theincident.

The Sri Lanka Parliament extended the emergency law that comes in to force under the PublicSecurity Ordnance for another one month.

June 6 21 persons were killed and 40 others injured in a LTTE­triggered a powerful explosion on a publicbus near Katubedda Shailabimbaramaya temple on the Katubedda – Piliyandala main road inColombo. Eight women and 13 men were among the dead in the explosion in the bus which wasproceeding to Mt. Lavinia from Kottawa.

At least seven LTTE militants were killed and 21 others injured by the troops as clashes eruptedbetween the two sides in the Ichchalankai, Nedunkandal, Periyamadu, Kovitkanchikulam,Itkanchikulam, Palamoddai, Alankulam and Kurukkallimotai areas of Mannar and Vavuniya districts.Nine soldiers were also reported wounded in the incidents.

Troops conducting search and clear operations in the Janakapura, north of Kiriibbanwewa andAndankulam areas of Vavuniya district killed four LTTE militants and injured at least 13 others.

The LTTE in the latest release by its Hero’s department has claimed that the outfit has lost 21,051carders in the quest for a separate state for the Tamils in Sri Lanka. The 21,051 cadres include16,516 males and 4,535 females. The period cited for the deaths cover 26 years from November 27,1982 to May 31, 2008. Since the current pace of the war intensified in 2006 the outfit has lost 1004carders, of which 745 males and 259 and in 2007 they had lost 1196 carders including 1037 malesand 159 females. The Hero’s Department also claimed they never hide the deaths of the LTTEcadres, announcing the heroes name over the radio broadcast, and updating figures on a monthlybasis.

The Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry has recently formulated guidelines for media on war newscoverage in the form of an advisory that is posted on its website, www.defence.lk, under theheading, "Deriding the war heroes for a living — the ugly face of 'defence analysts' in Sri Lanka".The guidelines address four main issues the Defence Ministry is most concerned over. Criticism ofmilitary operations, promotion schemes, procurement and unethical methods used to obtainsensitive information are the issues of main concern and they are classified as acts of ‘treason’.

June 7 The SFs clashed with the LTTE militants in the Navakkulam, Periyamadu, Cheddiyankulam andPeriyapallemullkaduu areas of Vavuniya district and killed seven militants while injured two others.

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Five soldiers were also injured while the SFs recovered the dead body of one female LTTE cadreafter clashes in Periyamadu.

In similar confrontations that erupted between the two sides in the Welioya area of Vavuniya district,the troops killed five militants and injured at least 19 others.

Three more LTTE militants were killed and two others wounded by the troops destroyed an LTTEbunker in the area north of Ethawatunuwewa in Vavuniya district.

June 8 At least 17 LTTE militants and six soldiers were killed as the troops stormed the outfit’s One­Fourbase at five places and captured 500­600 meters stretch of land in the Ethawatunuwewa area ofVavuniya district. 35 militants and 18 soldiers also sustained injuries during the fighting whichlasted for eight hours.

The SFs confronted with the LTTE militants in the Muhamalai, Mankumban, Ponnar and Nagarkovilareas of Jaffna district and killed an unspecified number of militants. Three soldiers were also killedduring the clashes. Six soldiers and an equal number of militants were reported injured in theincidents. Some of the soldiers were injured in LTTE triggered remote­controlled blasts in the area.

Five LTTE militants were killed and another five wounded by the troops during an encounter in thearea east of Periyamadu in the Vavuniya district. One soldier also sustained injuries during theclash.

Three more LTTE militants were killed by SFs in another confrontation in the area east ofPeriyamadu in the Vavuniya district.

Acknowledging the contribution of Sri Lanka's armed forces in fighting international terrorism,President Mahinda Rajapakse has said giving democratic rights to the Tamils in the LTTEstrongholds was vital for ending militancy in the region. He said it was not possible to win a war withweapons alone. For this it is necessary for the soldier who goes into battle to have trust andconfidence in his leadership, he said. "We have the need to give the Tamil people in (the rebelstronghold) of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu their democratic rights, as we did for the people in theEast," the President said.

At least seven LTTE militants were killed and 33 others injured by the SFs as clashes eruptedbetween the two sides in the Manipullkulam, Alankulam and Nedunkandal areas of Mannar districtand Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa, Wedimurippu, Thalaweddi and Palampiddi areas of Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed while about 19 others received injuries during these clashes.

June 9 At least nine LTTE militants were killed as the troops stormed the outfit’s FDL in the Alankulamarea, about 2­km north to the north bund of the Giant Tank, of Mannar district. Two soldiers werealso killed while 15 others sustained injuries during the clash that lasted nearly for four hours.Troops later recovered the dead bodies of three female militants from the area.

Sri Lankan Minister for Community Development and Social Inequity Eradication P. Chandrasekaranhas said he had received positive signals from the LTTE to indicate that it would be open to talks.Claiming to be on a mission to meet political leaders in Tamil Nadu and New Delhi to create anatmosphere conducive for Indian intervention he said that India should play the role of a mediator toend the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. He also that the LTTE had also evinced interest in Indianintervention and favourable signals had emanated from the outfit in this regard.

June 10 At least four LTTE militants were killed by the troops during confrontations in the Periyamadu,Janakapura and Welioya areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also injured during theseclashes.

Three ‘pistol gang’ militants of the LTTE were gunned down during a Police and Army combinedcordon and search operation at Pallikudiruppu in the Akkaraipattu area of Ampara district. Reportssaid that a group of three militants had opened fire and lobbed a hand grenade at the SF personnelengaged in the search operation. The SF personnel had retaliated killing two militants on the spotwhile the other who had managed to escape was chased and shot dead later.

A little known Sri Lankan rebel group, Ellalan Force claimed responsibility for recent bomb attackson transport vehicles as revenge for what it said were Government attacks and aerial bombings onTamil civilians. The military said that the outfit is a LTTE­linked group.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said that the State intelligence sleuths have uncovered aLTTE plot to assassinate VIPs in the South by infiltrating public functions attended by them. Theterrorist plan was to get their cadres to attend such functions unarmed as normal civilians andassassinate VIPs attending them after grabbing weapons from the SF personnel detailed to coversuch events.

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Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, delivering a lecture at the Carlton Club (London), said thatthe military victories can provide the space for political and economic solutions to be found andwithout military power the result can be more bloodshed.

The LTTE has vowed to attack government troops if they enter the outfit’s­controlled area. In aninterview with a news agency, the LTTE Peace Secretariat Head, S. Puleedevan, has said, "SriLanka armed forces are losing a lot of soldiers. If they enter into LTTE area the losses will be muchmore. The heavy fighting is going on at the forward defence line and we have managed to inflictconsiderable damages to Sri Lankan armed forces. They are unable to gain any new territory."Puleedevan also blamed that the Government is not willing to have peace talks and is evident bydenying access to international mediators.

June 11 At least seven LTTE militants were killed in the Nedunkandal and the west of Navvi areas inMannar district. Two LTTE bunkers were also neutralised in the Nedunkandal area.

Five more LTTE militants were killed and more than 15 others injured during clashes with the troopsin the north of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Welioya areas of Vavuniya district. While twosoldiers were killed and four others sustained injuries, the troops captured one bunker in the fightingin Janakapura area.

At least four LTTE militants and three sailors were killed as the SLN personnel foiled an LTTEattack on a SLN outpost at Erukkalampiddi in the Mannar Island. According to the defence sources,a group of outfit’s cadres who had come in six boats launched the attack at around 2.15 am (SLST).The SLN personnel defended the post effectively destroying a Sea Tiger boat in a counter­attackkilling four militants, including their leader Sirimaran, sources added. However, the pro­LTTEWebsite Tamil Net admitting their loss said the outfit destroyed the camp and captured keyweapons and radar equipment.

The security forces are attacking Mullaitivu, the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran’s hideout, fromseveral directions, said Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. Commander Fonseka said the Army'saim is to capture Prabhakaran, who is holed up in a bunker, alive. He said the 56, 57, 58 and 59divisions are taking part in the operations and Task Force 2 will also be inducted to expedite theoperation. Troops are presently attacking the LTTE's 1­4 Base complex in a preliminary bid to reachMullaitivu. Forces have already regained several hundred square kilometres previously under thecontrol of the LTTE and they still need to march forward another 21 kilometers to achieve the finalgoals, he said.

Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona called upon the EU to list the TRO and other LTTE frontorganisations, which have been clearly identified, including by the US Government, as raising fundsfor the LTTE. He said a request to this effect has recently been made by the Government to theEuropean Union. French Ambassador in Sri Lanka Michel Lummaux representing the current EUPresidency held by Slovenia, who led the EU delegation, categorically expressed the opposition ofthe EU to a separate State for Tamils in Sri Lanka. He said the EU does not consider the LTTE tobe the sole representative of Sri Lankan Tamils.

June 12 The SFs killed five LTTE militants and injured six others during separate encounters in theJanakapura and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while six othersreceived injuries during the clashes.

At Kiraddikulam in Vavuniya district, the SFs confronted a group of LTTE militants and killed threeof them on the spot. Two more militants and one soldier received injuries in the incident.

Secretary General of the SCOPP, Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha, responding to a statement made by theLTTE’s ‘Peace’ Secretariat chief, Seewaratnam Pulidevan, that he wishes to meet with Norwegianpeace­brokers, said that the team headed by Norway's Special Peace Envoy John Hansen Bauer,would, for now, not be allowed to visit the Wanni. Prof. Wijesinha dismissed the LTTE request as ameaningless propaganda exercise in the absence of a roadmap to ending the 25­year conflict.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has asserted that in spite of the cost in lives and damage inflicted toSri Lanka's tourist trade he would not resume peace talks with the LTTE until the organisationagreed to disarm. "When they are weak they call on the international community to arrange aceasefire. During this period they train and rearm and then fight back. This time if they want to talk,they should disarm first," he said. Commenting on concluding a peace deal with VelupillaiPrabhakaran, the LTTE chief, he said, "This man and the three or four henchmen around him areblood­thirsty killers. They have no feelings. It is very difficult to deal with them."

India cannot make 'any healthy, fruitful contribution' to resolving Sri Lanka's ethnic conflict until itchanges its mind on the LTTE’s struggle for an independent State, K.V. Balakumaran, a senior

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leader of the outfit told an Australian Tamil radio. "Our regret is that the Indian policy makers areviewing (the) Tamil people's struggle through the lens of their country's political warfare. Until theIndian central government approaches this intellectually and recognises that ours is a struggle forsurvival by an oppressed people in the land of their birth, India cannot make any healthy, fruitfulcontribution," the pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net quoted Balakumaran as saying.

June 13 At least seven LTTE militants and four soldiers were killed during confrontations that erupted in thenorth of Janakapura, Kokkuthuduvai and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district. At least 15militants and five soldiers were injured during these confrontations.

During another confrontation between the two sides in the Periyamandankulam, Palampiddi,Kovitakunchu, Nedunkandal, Alankulam and Vaddakkandal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districtsthe troops killed five militants while injured eight others. Three soldiers were also reported killed andfour others got injured. 500 T­56 ammunitions were recovered by the troops in the Palampiddi area.

The LTTE had released 27 more child soldiers, and contested a United Nations estimate that over1,000 child soldiers were still in their ranks. The outfit said that they were also working to discharge30 or so children who are still with them.

June 14 At least eight LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured as the troops in a fierce offensiveoperation captured a strategically important LTTE­held area in the Mannar district and brought thewhole tank area under their control, the military said. Seven soldiers got injured in theconfrontations. Capture of the entire perimeter of this strategically important tank area is a majorsetback to the LTTE, defence officials said.

The troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Komankulam, Mundipurippu, Keevelikulam,Minukkal, Nedunkandal and Irathawelliyakulam areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts and killedfour militants while injured four others. Two soldiers were also killed and five others received injuriesduring the clashes.

June 15 At least 17 LTTE militants were killed and more than 15 others injured by the SFs as confrontationsoccurred between the sides in the Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa, Ranabapura and Kokkutoduvai areasof Vavuniya district. Three SF personnel were killed while four others sustained injuries during theclashes. The SFs also recovered one hand grenade from the area north of Kiriibbanwewa.

Six more LTTE militants were killed in clashes with the troops in the Navathkulama, north ofPeriyamadu and Nedunkandal areas of Vavuniya and Mannar districts. One soldier was killed whilefour others were injured in LTTE fire.

The troops confronted with a group of LTTE militants and killed five of them in the Palamoddai areaof Vavuniya district. One soldier was injured in action.

Three LTTE militants were eliminated by the SFs during two separate confrontations in theKovitkanchikulam area of Vavuniya district. The SFs later recovered the dead bodies of the threeslain militants along with two T­56 weapons.

June 16 A suspected LTTE suicide bomber on a motorbike blew himself up in front of a Police building inVavuniya, killing 12 police personnel, including three female Police officers and wounding 23 others,the military said,. The suicide bomber blew himself up in front of the SSP office complex inVavuniya targeting the Police personnel leaving the SSP office for their duties at around 7:10am(SLST).

The Canadian Cabinet has outlawed the Toronto­based front organization of the LTTE, the WTM,under the Anti­Terrorism Act. "The Anti­Terrorism Act, passed in the wake of the 9/11 attacks,allows federal Cabinet to prepare a list of ‘entities’ whose activities are proscribed by Canadian lawdue to their involvement in terrorist violence," the report added. The directive issued by the Office ofthe Superintendent of Financial Institutions advised banks and insurance companies to notify theRoyal Canadian Mountain Police or Canadian Security Intelligence Service if they held anyaccounts linked to the WTM.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed and more than 10 others injured when clashes eruptedbetween the two sides in the Echchalarakkai, Vannakulam, Pandiyankulam Periyamadu,Mullikkandy, Parappakandal, Palamoddai and south of Kovitkuchchikulam areas in Vavuniyadistrict. Four soldiers were injured in these clashes.

Three LTTE militants were killed and at least 24 others injured by the troops during encounters inthe areas north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. One soldier was alsokilled while three others were injured in the LTTE mortar fire.

June 17 14 LTTE militants were killed and three others injured during clashes with the troops in the

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Palamoddai, Karukkakulam, Kovitkanchikulam and south of Navavi areas in the Vavuniya andMannar districts.

During an encounter between the two sides in the areas north of Janakapura, Andankulam andEthawatunuwewa areas of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed seven LTTE militants and wounded atleast six others. Three soldiers were injured in the clashes.

Three soldiers were killed in a LTTE attack in the Kayamodai Wanni area of Vavuniya district.

Sri Lanka is planning to establish an all party Security Council under the directions of PresidentMahinda Rajapakse to prevent LTTE attacks on the civilians in the country, the Government said.The council is based on a proposal put forward by the members of the newly formed breakawayMarxist party, the National Freedom Front.

June 18 Seven militants were killed as troops attacked LTTE camps in the Kiraddikulam and Vaddakkandalareas of Vavuniya district.

The LTTE has rejected the Government's request to lay down their weapons before peace talks."Any approach that disturbs the balance of power and parity of status (between the government andrebels) are counter­productive to the peace process," said the group’s political head B. Nadesan.

June 19 17 LTTE militants were killed and 14 others wounded during clashes with the troops in theVedamakilam, Periyamadu, Kayamunai, Nedunkandal, Eachalarakkai, Kuranchatalav andAndankulam areas of Mannar and Vavuniya districts. Three soldiers were also killed while nineothers sustained injuries.

Six soldiers were killed and 20 others were injured in encounters with the LTTE in theMankindamulai, Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

Basil Rajapakse, the presidential advisor of President Mahinda Rajapakse, admitted that the LTTErepresented a ‘fair number of Tamils’ but ruled out any quick truce with the outfit.

June 21 Seven LTTE militants were killed and nine others injured during encounters with the SFs in theJanakapura, Andankulam and Weddakulam areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers sustainedinjuries in these clashes.

SFs captured three LTTE bunkers killing four militants while injuring two others in the Nedunkandalarea of Mannar district. Three soldiers were injured in the incident.

Four LTTE militants were killed as the Army troops serving in the Poovarasankulam area ofVavuniya district observed these militants, two males and two females, busy constructing a hutnear a bunker.

June 22 10 LTTE militants were killed and 30 others injured as the troops captured an LTTE line of sixbunkers built in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district. Four solders were killed while sevenothers were injured in the clashes. One more soldier was reported missing in action.

10 LTTE militants were killed by the SFs as clashes erupted between the two sides in theChalampan, Veddayamurippu, Kiraddikulam and Kovitakunchu area of Mannar district. Two soldierswere also killed while another was wounded in these clashes.

The SFs confronted LTTE militants in the Muppankulam area of Vavuniya district on June 21­nightand June 22­morning killing six militants and injuring a few others.

During an encounter between the two sides in the areas north of Janakapura, Mani Kindamalai andVeddankerni, the SFs killed three militants while injuring 30 others. Nine soldiers were reportedinjured in the explosions of improvised explosive devices and LTTE attacks.

June 23 Three policemen were killed and another injured when suspected LTTE militants carried out a bombexplosion near the Aiyththamalai Police post in the Batticaloa district.

President Mahinda Rajapakse stated that his Government would seek to establish ‘Peace Zones’not only in the precincts of sacred sites, but also in the whole country.

At least 12 LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed during separate clashes in the Kiriibbanwewaarea of Vavuniya district. 11 more militants and four soldiers sustained injuries during theseclashes.

At least 10 more LTTE militants were killed and six others wounded during separate confrontationswith the SFs in the Periyamadu, Nedunkandal, Andankulam, Palamoddai and Werapiliyathura areasof Mannar district. Troops also recovered ammunition and explosives from the possession of theslain and injured persons.

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June 24 The troops operating in the Mannar front captured several key locations in the North and North Eastof Adampan securing Mavilakkandi, Minnanirachchan and Marattikannaddi areas, Military sourcessaid. At least 10 LTTE militants were killed in the confrontation that erupted from early hours of theday. Five soldiers also sustained injuries during these confrontations.

The SFs killed six LTTE militants and injured three others in the Periyamadu area of Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed while three others got injured in the incident.

At least five LTTE militants were killed and 24 others injured during confrontation with the troops inthe Janakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier also died in an anti personnel mine explosionduring the clash.

The troops neutralised an LTTE bunker in the Mullikandal area of Mannar district killing threemilitants. One soldier was also killed in action.

President Mahinda Rajapakse reiterated that the LTTE should lay down arms if they expect tonegotiate with the Government for a political solution to the crisis, according to Ministry of DefenceWebsite. "The Government would not hesitate to work with the LTTE if the Tigers were ready to laydown arms," the President said. The President assured that he was not at all prepared tocompromise the security of the country and the safety of the people and was not ready to hand overthe country to a terrorist organisation. The President further said, "I don’t wish at all to wage waragainst the people of the country. My determination is to defeat terrorism. If the LTTE lay downarms at any moment I am ready to work with them to achieve peace," adds Colombo Page.

June 25 The troops killed five LTTE militants and injured more than 20 others in the Kiriibbanwewa area ofVavuniya district. One soldier was also killed and seven others got injured. Troops captured threetrenches and recovered 3500 rounds of ammunition.

Four more LTTE militants were killed and five soldiers received injuries during confrontations in theSirumollakandi and Navavi areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops captured an LTTE camp with 120­mm gun positions at Kattikulam in the Vavuniyadistrict killing three militants and injuring three others. LTTE transmissions later confirmed that onearea leader was among the injured. One soldier also sustained injuries in action.

June 26 Troops operating on the Mannar front captured two and half square kilometres of land betweenChalampan and Marattikannaddi on the Andankulam­Vedithalthivu road in Mannar district. "TwelveTiger cadres were killed during the confrontation between 8 am to 3 pm yesterday to capture thisterrain," Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said, adding, "With the capture of thiskey location all supply routes from Mannar Northwards to the Pooneryn road has been totally cut offto the LTTE."

Six LTTE militants were killed during confrontations with the troops at Pandayan, according to SriLanka Army. Four soldiers were also injured during the clash.

The troops also eliminated five LTTE militants and injured eight others in the Morathandaman areaof Mannar district. One soldier was also wounded in the incident.

The troops captured one more LTTE bunker in the Kanapputtukulam area of Mannar district andkilled five militants while injuring six others. One T­56 weapon was also recovered from the incidentsite.

Four more LTTE militants were killed and nine others injured in an encounter with the troops in thePalamoddai area of Vavuniya district. Four soldiers also sustained injuries in action.

Troops of the 57 Division who entered the Periyamadu village in Vavuniya district on June 24 andconsolidated its position by capturing seven square kilometres surrounding the village by June 26­noon.

June 27 At least 25 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured as security forcescaptured the outfit’s strategic "54­Base", said Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara.

25 more LTTE militants were killed and two soldiers sustained injuries as the SFs engaged inoperation ‘Rice Bowl’ on the Mannar Front fully captured the Andankulam area and 13 squarekilometres surrounding it, an unnamed senior military official said.

At least 20 LTTE militants were killed more than 40 others injured as clashes erupted between the

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two sides in the Andankulam, north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district.One soldier was also killed while two more sustained injuries in the confrontations.

June 28 At least 20 LTTE militants were killed and 13 others injured when troops opened fire on theirpositions in Ambaddankulam, Naddankulam, Navatkulam, Panichchanmadu, Naouarampu andPalamoddai areas of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also killed and two others injured in thefight.

June 29 The 58 Division of the Sri Lanka Army operating on the Mannar successfully completed operation‘Rice Bowl’ after capturing over 120 square kilometres, including 105 square kilometres of the mostfertile land in the country.

10 militants were killed and 32 others injured when the troops attacked LTTE camps north ofKiriibbanwewa and Janakapura in the Vavuniya district.

Six more LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured during a confrontation with the troops inthe area north of Navavi area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while three others gotinjured. One more soldier was reportedly missing in the confrontation.

During separate clashes between the two sides in the Pandiyankulam, Palamoddai and Periyamaduareas of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed seven LTTE militants and injured four others.

The troops captured one LTTE bunker ahead of the Muhamalai FDL in the Jaffna district killing fourmilitants.

President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed no interest in easing off his military's offensive against theLTTE. "There are calls for a cease­fire when the terrorists face defeat. I will not allow anyone tocurtail the forward march of the troops," Rajapakse said.

Amid claims of major advances into the LTTE­ controlled territory in the Mannar district in the north,the Sri Lankan military reported influx of civilians from LTTE­held areas into the government­controlled side. In a statement in Colombo, the Defence Ministry said, "It is observed that Tamilcivilians fleeing LTTE­held areas continuously reaching towards security forces seeing protectionfor their lives as they are living under severe life risk in LTTE areas. As the troops captured almostall the terror strongholds in Mannar front, an escalation of civilian movement towards government­controlled areas can be observed".

The troops killed three LTTE militants and injured four others near the Navakkulam FDL in theVavuniya district. Three soldiers were also injured in the LTTE fire.

June 30 The security forces engaged in the Wanni liberation operation, entered a decisive phase as thetroops created the biggest ever military front to the LTTE in the western flank of Wanni with twoArmy divisions that independently operated in Mannar and Vavuniya linking together from southeastof Periyamadu.

The LTTE has "lost their capability of fighting as a conventional army" because of the offensive themilitary is waging against them, Army Chief Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said.

Five LTTE militants were killed while 11 others injured during confrontations with the troops in theareas north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district.

Three soldiers were killed and two others injured in LTTE­triggered IED explosions at Palamoddaiand Kovitkanchikulam in Vavuniya district.

July 1 25 LTTE militants were killed and more than 39 others injured as the troops clashed with themilitants in the Ampandankulam East, Periyamadu North, Palamoddai, Navvi, Andankulam,Yalankulam, Echarakkai, Janakapura North, Kokkutoduvai and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniyadistrict. Two soldiers were also killed while 25 others wounded in LTTE­triggered explosions andfiring during the clashes.

July 2 12 LTTE militants were killed by the SFs in clashes at Kayamodai and Puthukulam in the Mannardistrict.

The troops killed 12 militants in the Janakapura, Kokkuthuduvai and Palamoddai areas of Vavuniyadistrict.

July 3 The founder of the TMVP, Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna, returned to

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Colombo after completing his prison term in Britain on charges of violation of immigration laws.

The LTTE ruled out the possibility of any reconciliation with Karuna Amman and termed suchreports as mere rumours. "Speaking about Karuna is a waste of time. We will never take him back.There are other more important issues which could be discussed other than such baseless reports,"the LTTE military spokesperson, Rasiah Ilanthirayan said, adding, that the LTTE did not need analliance to regain the east and warned the LTTE would recapture the area soon. The TMVP alsoruled out that Karuna would rejoin the LTTE. "We are confident that Karuna will not join the LTTE ashe has rejected the Tigers’ policies and leadership. If anyone thinks that a Karuna­LTTE alliance isin the making, then I have to tell them that it would be the biggest joke of the year," Azad Maulanatold Daily Mirror.

July 4 25 LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured by the SFs during clashes in theParayanakulam, Palamoddai, Vidattaltive, Periyamadu and Nedunkandal areas of the Vavuniya andMannar districts. Two soldiers were also killed in an IED explosion in the Palamoddai area. Ninebunkers were also neutralized by the troops near Periyamadu.

20 LTTE militants were killed 12 others injured during encounters with the troops in theMaruthamadu, Navakkulam, Thunukkai, Nochchimunai and Navvi areas of the Vavuniya district.One soldier was also killed while three others sustained injuries in these clashes.

Approximately 17 militants were killed as the Army’s 59th Division engaged in an offensive on theWelioya front captured the LTTE’s strategic Michael Base. The Michael Base, part of the 1­4 Base,is located seven­km north of Janakapura and is similar to the Munnagam base ­ the first base in the1­4 complex captured earlier ­, is an underground structure.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura, north of Kiriibbanwewaand Ranabapura areas of Vavuniya district and killed eight of them while injuring 22 others. Troopsalso captured one LTTE bunker.

Five militants were killed and 12 others wounded by the troops during clashes in the area north ofKiriibbanwewa and Janakapura in Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE cadres were killed and another injured by the SFs during an encounter between the twosides in the Ampachdankulam and Thiraktive areas of the Mannar district.

During an encounter the SFs killed three LTTE militants in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district.

The Government forces are on the verge of defeating the LTTE, said ‘Colonel’ Karuna, founder ofthe TMVP. He also said that he is ‘very happy' that his deputy, Pillayan, has been appointed as theEPC Chief Minister and insisted that he has no plans to replace him as the new Chief Minister.Pillayan who had earlier told BBC Sandeshaya that he would offer the post to Karuna, if he returnsto the country on July 4 said that there was no need to hand over his reigns to the party leader.

July 5 15 LTTE militants were killed and 18 others injured as the troops clashed with the militants in theAmpandankulam, Puttakamam, Paranthekulam, Palamoddai and Navvi areas of Vavuniya district.Nine soldiers were injured in LTTE mortar fire while four others sustained injuries in explosions ofAPMs and improvised explosive devices. One LTTE bunker was neutralised by the SFs in thePalamoddai area.

Four LTTE militants were killed while nine others were wounded in clashes with the SFs in the areasnorth of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa, Naddamankulam and Anandankulam areas of Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed while four others sustained injuries.

The political leader of the LTTE, P. Nadesan, denied claims that the outfit has been weakened. Healso urged the Tamil Nadu (Indian State) Chief Minister Karunanidhi to come forward and assist theirstruggle to establish a Tamil Eelam and expressed regret that India was providing help to the SriLankan Government.

The LTTE commemorated 356 Black Tigers, men and women, who have staged suicide attackssince the tactic was first used by the outfit 21 years ago. "Three hundred and fifty six Black Tigershave laid down their lives, 254 of them in sea operations, during the last 21 years since," Tamil Netsaid. The LTTE in 2007 had commemorated 322 suicide bombers who perished in attacks. Thefigures show that 34 suicide bombers had carried out attacks in the past year. An attack onAnuradhapura air base on October 22, 2007 was the worst, with 21 suicide bombers destroying afleet of aircraft. One militant later returned to the north with video footage of the attack, while theothers were shot dead or blew themselves up.

July 6 Seven LTTE militants were killed during clashes with the troops in the Navathkulama,Ampandankulam and Palamoddai areas of the Vavuniya district.

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Four LTTE militants were killed and 10 others sustained injuries during clashes with the troops inthe area north of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district. Twosoldiers were wounded in these clashes.

Sri Lanka Army reopened the Omanthai entry/exit point, the southernmost entrance between thecleared areas (area under Government control) and the non­liberated areas (area not underGovernment control) in the Northern Province, at 3.15 pm (SST). According to the defence sources,the ICRC officials also opened their offices at the point. The entry/ exit point remained closed sinceJuly 1 as the ICRC officials opted to close their offices on security reasons claiming that Sri LankaAir Force had carried out air raids at LTTE targets located close to their offices in the area.

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said that there could be a terrorist attack in thecountry within the next 48 hours. He said intelligence agencies have informed the Government ofpossible terrorist attacks within the next 48 hours and all police stations and army camps havebeen put on alert. Police said they have received information that the LTTE is planning attacks inthe South.

Insisting that he still remained the leader of the TMVP, Karuna admitted there was an attempt bysome top government officials to split the outfit without the knowledge of President MahindaRajapakse.

July 7 At least nine LTTE militants were killed and 14 others injured during three separate clashes with thetroops in the Palamoddai and Navvi areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Kiriibbanwewa, north of Janakapura andKamalmunai areas of Vavuniya district and killed three of them while injuring at least 16 others. Onesoldier was also killed while two more sustained injuries in the fighting.

The Government insisted that any future peace talks would take place with the participation of allTamil political parties in the country and not solely with the LTTE. Government maintained that theLTTE would have to accept the condition as it (LTTE); was not the sole representative of the Tamilpeople. The LTTE, however, ruled out such a possibility stating that it would enter negotiations withonly the Government, through the facilitation of the Norwegians and not with the presence of anyother political party in the country. "The LTTE has been fighting for the rights of the Tamils. Such acondition laid down by the Government is just another tactic to evade peace talks", LTTE militaryspokesperson Rasiah Ilanthirayan said.

July 8 Eight LTTE militants were killed as the troops neutralised a bunker at Periyavalayankadu in theVavuniya district.

The SFs clashed with the LTTE militants in the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya districtand killed at least seven militants while injuring nine others. Two soldiers sustained injuries in theincident.

The troops captured four LTTE bunkers in the area north of Janakapura in the Vavuniya districtkilling three militants and injuring another.

The Parliament extended the state of emergency by another month. Prime Minister RatnasiriWickremanayake informed the Parliament while moving the motion that 112 SF personnel and 43civilians were killed and 793 SF personnel and 61 civilians were injured in June 2008.

July 9 Eight LTTE militants and one soldier were killed while six militants and two soldiers were woundedduring clashes between the two sides in the areas north of Kiriibbanwewa and north of Janakapurain Vavuniya district.

The SFs attacked three LTTE bunkers in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district andneutralised one of them killing nine militants while injuring 10 others.

The troops clashed with the militants in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district and killed eight ofthem while injuring 10 others. Seven soldiers were injured in this incident. The troops during theoperation also captured one LTTE bunker.

Six more militants were killed and a soldier was wounded when the troops attacked several LTTEcamps in the Anandankulam, Navvi and Nedunkandal areas of Vavuniya district.

The SFs captured five LTTE bunkers in the Mathirmadu area of Mannar district and killed six

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militants.

During an encounter with the LTTE cadres in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district, the SFskilled two militants and injured five others. Two soldiers were also killed in this incident.

The LTTE has started to extort Government servants living in un­cleared areas forcing them tocontribute SLR 4000 from their salary to the coffers of the outfit, military spokesman BrigadierUdaya Nanayakkara said based on the information from civilians fleeing the un­cleared areas. Healso said that civilians living under severe pressure of the LTTE were now fleeing to the clearedareas in large numbers.

Leader of the SLMC, Rauf Hakeem, has reportedly resigned from his recent appointment as theEastern Province Opposition Leader.

July 10 Seven militants were killed when the troops attacked LTTE camps in the Palamoddai, Navavi,Mundipurippu, Navakkulam, south of Ampandankulam, Illanthaimotai and Nedunkandal areas ofVavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Chandamandankulam, Palaweddumodai,Pallimunai, Uthkamam, Palairaimotai areas of Mannar district and killed seven of them. Eightsoldiers sustained injuries during the operation in which they neutralized two bunkers.

Four LTTE militants were killed and 23 others injured by the SFs in the areas north of Janakapura,Uluthuvely and Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district. Six soldiers were wounded in the incident.

Three civilians, identified as Surendra Kumara, Wasantha Premakumara and Asanka NamalBuddhika from the Wattegama area of Kurunegala district, were shot dead by a ‘pistol gang’ militantof the LTTE in the Kalmunai area of Ampara district.

Government spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the TMVP leader ‘Colonel’Karuna Amman will be interrogated only if there is a necessity pertaining to his involvement in themass killing of over 400 policemen in Muttur in 1990. Earlier, in an interview with Daily Mirror,Karuna had admitted that the policemen were in his custody at the time he was still part of theLTTE but added that they were killed after he handed them over to LTTE intelligence chief PottuAmman.

The LTTE has expressed readiness for a cease­fire and peace talks with the Sri LankanGovernment. The outfit’s political wing leader, B. Nadesan, said in a telephonic interview to TimesNow television channel, 'It is the Sri Lankan State that unilaterally abrogated the ceasefireagreement and is unleashing a war against the Tamils in their homeland. We are not againstceasefire or peace talks."

July 11 Army troops, after clashes that lasted for days, took full control of the Nedunkandal town, about 16­km north east of Periyamadu in the Mannar district. The town was an important tactical andadministrative location of the LTTE. Troops also captured Navvi, another small town about 15­kmnorthwest of Omanthai in Vavuniya district.

Five LTTE cadres were killed and six others injured in clashes with the troops in the area north ofJanakapura in Vavuniya district.

Four civilians, including two women and a 12­year­old child, were killed and 25 others sustainedinjuries when a group of LTTE militants shot at a bus plying from Moneragala to Kataragma on theButtala­ Kataragma main road.

During an encounter between the two sides the troops killed four LTTE militants in the Wellaveliarea of Mannar district.

The troops killed three LTTE militants and injured 11 others in the Maruthamadu,Eelamaruttankulam and Ampandankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

July 12 Four LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during clashes between the two sides in the Navviarea of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers and a militant were injured in these clashes.

SFs killed four LTTE militants and injured 12 others in the Puthukulam area of Vavuniya district.One soldier was also injured in incident.

The troops killed four LTTE cadres and injured an equal number of them in the Sannarkulam area ofVavuniya district.

Three LTTE militants were killed and three others injured during clashes with the troops in theJanakapura area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured in the incident.

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Addressing journalists in Andhra Pradesh during his visit to India, President Mahinda Rajapaksesaid that his Government was ready to resume talks with the LTTE provided it laid down arms. Hesaid the LTTE should give up terrorist activities and come to the negotiating table in the interest ofthe nation.

July 13 Seven militants were killed when the troops attacked a LTTE camp northeast of Sulathinakulam inthe Mannar district. The troops later recovered the dead bodies of five slain militants along with oneT­56 weapon.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura and north ofKiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district killing seven militants while injuring 26 others.

The SFs opened fire on two LTTE bunkers at Periyavilankulli and Puthukulam in the Mannar districtand killed five militants.

The TMVP spokesman, Azath Moulana, denied media reports over a leadership struggle in theparty and reaffirmed that ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman remains the leader of the party. He also said thatPillayan will continue to act as the deputy leader of the party.

Plans are under way to resettle the remaining IDPs in the Eastern Province in their native places inthe wake of a peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the province, Resettlement and Disaster ReliefServices Minister Rishad Badhiutheen said. Badhiutheen stated that 34,341 IDP families consisting112,702 persons were resettled in 2007 in Vavunathivu, Vellevely, Vakarai, Pattipola, Chenkaladyand Verugal Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Batticaloa district.

July 14 Environment Minister Champika Ranawake accused that India had given military training to some29000 Tamil youth and regardless of diplomatic norms had used LTTE terrorism to interfere with the1984 government.

The LTTE since 2007 has been conscripting boys and girls who had just reached 17 years for warand by now 30 per cent of those recruited with the adults have been killed, stated the UniversityTeachers for Human Rights­Jaffna.

27 LTTE militants were killed and 69 others injured during clashes with the troops in the areas northof Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa, Ampandankulam, Palampiddi, Navvi, Nithyanagar,Parappakandattan and Puthukulam in Vavuniya and Mannar districts. Four soldiers were also killedwhile 15 others sustained injuries. The troops also captured one bunker and two trenches.

Three soldiers were killed and another injured in an LTTE­triggered IED explosion in the Kadolanaarea of Jaffna district.

July 15 28 LTTE cadres were killed and more than 40 others injured by the SFs in the Navakkulam,Maruthamadu and Nedunkandal areas in Vavuniya and Eachalarakkai in Mannar.

20 militants were killed as the Army troops along with the SLAF launched an attack on a LTTEconvoy while it was moving along A­32 Mannar­Pooneryn road.

20 militants were killed as the SLAF MI 24 helicopter gun ships neutralised an LTTE camp locatednorth of Vidattaltive area in the Mannar district.

The SFs neutralised an LTTE bunker in the Maruthamadu area of Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants.

During clashes between the two sides in the areas north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewain Vavuniya district, the troops killed four militants and injured 20 others.

The troops captured two LTTE camps in the Ampandankulam and north of Navvi areas in Vavuniyadistrict killing three militants and injuring eight others.

While reaffirming its commitment to resuming peace negotiations with the Government, the LTTEsaid that it would not disarm before such negotiations took place.

July 16 The troops captured the biggest Sea Tiger base in the North Western coastal town of Vedithalthivuin Mannar for the first time after the early 1990’s. More than 70 to 80 militants were killed during thepast few days, the General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division Brigadier Silva said.

12 LTTE militants were killed and 23 others wounded during clashes with the troops in thePeriyamaraiillupai, Kattikulam, Pandiyankulam, Palamoddai and north of Navvi areas in Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed while another sustained injury in the clashes. Troops alsocaptured three bunkers at north of Navvi and recovered one Global Positions System.

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During another clash in the Welioya area of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed eight militants andinjured 25 others. While 10 SF personnel were wounded in the incident, the SFs also neutralised twoLTTE bunkers.

Three LTTE cadres and two soldiers were killed in an exchange of fire between the two sides at theVidattaltive jetty in Mannar district. While six soldiers sustained injuries, the SFs recovered twotrucks, one canter and a motor bike.

July 17 19 LTTE militants were killed and at least 40 others injured when the troops attacked the outfit’sbunkers in the Thunukkai, Pandiyankulam, Oddankulam, Pallaimadu, Palaiandankulam, Thiravu,north of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa, Andankulam and Vellankulam areas in Vavuniya district. Whilefive soldiers were also killed and 10 others injured in IED explosions in these areas, one soldierwent missing during the clash in Thunukkai. Troops also neutralised 11 bunkers during theoperation.

The TMVP leader ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman has said that the members of his group no longer needto carry arms as they are totally satisfied with the security given to them by the Government.Karuna also said that he has already discussed with the defence authorities to bring his qualifiedand willing cadres to the SFs, Police and Home Guards.

July 18 Nine militants were killed and 12 others injured by the SFs during encounters in the areas north ofNavvi, Palamoddai and Pandiyankulam in Vavuniya district. Six soldiers sustained injuries in theseclashes.

Seven LTTE militants were killed and 27 others injured by the SFs during clashes in the areas northof Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. Four soldiers also sustained injuriesin these clashes.

The troops killed three LTTE militants in the areas ahead of the Nagarkovil and Muhamalai FDLs inJaffna district.

The LTTE had now lost nearly two thirds of its manpower and land area to the SFs, ArmyCommander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said. Fonseka said the LTTE cadres restricted to a smallarea in the two Northern districts were fighting with the advancing SFs using nearly 200,000innocent Tamils as a human shield. He also said that the LTTE, which has been severelyweakened, was now engaged in recruiting innocent children and Tamil elders to its ranks.

Government defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has said that the next target ofthe SFs is to liberate Kilinochchi from LTTE clutches. Pointing out that the LTTE is now confined toKilinochchi, Mullaitivu and a small stretch of land in Vavuniya.

July 19 Eight LTTE militants were killed in an encounter with the troops in the Karawaddivembu andMurunkaiyadippudi areas of the Vavuniya district.

The troops killed five militants and injured 10 others during clashes in the areas north ofAndankulam, north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. One bunker wasalso neutralized by the troops in north Kiriibbanwewa.

Three militants were killed when the security forces neutralised a LTTE bunker in the area north ofNavvi in Vavuniya district.

July 20 Troops captured the biggest LTTE base at Illuppukadavai, 10­kilometres north of Vedithalthivu, inthe Mannar district. 15 militants and one soldier were killed during the clashes that continued for thepast two days.

14 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured by the security forces in the areas north ofOmanthe, Vedamakilam, Pungantalvamadu, Parappukkal, north of Navvi and Palamoddai inVavuniya district.

During a clash between the two sides in the Iluppakadaweli area of Mannar district, the troops killed13 LTTE militants.

The SFs captured five LTTE trench lines in the area north of Navvi in Vavuniya district killing fivemilitants and injured three others.

Five LTTE militants were killed and 18 others injured by the troops in the areas north of Janakapuraand north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. Four soldiers sustained injuries in the clashes andIED and APM explosions.

The troops attacked two bunkers of the outfit in the area north of Navvi in Vavuniya district and

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killed three militants and injuring five others. One soldier sustained injuries in the incident.

July 21 The LTTE announced that they would observe a unilateral cease­fire during the period of theSAARC summit from July 26 to August 4. The outfit’s political wing said in a press statementissued from Wanni that, "As a sign of this goodwill, our movement is glad to inform that it willobserve a unilateral cease­fire that is devoid of military actions during the period of the SAARCconference from 26th July to 4th August and give our cooperation for the success of theconference. At the same time if the occupying Sinhala forces, disrespecting our goodwill gesture ofour people and our nation, carry out any offensives, our movement will be forced to take defensiveactions."

Balasingham Nadesan, chief of the LTTE political wing, has said that peace talks with the Sri LankaGovernment are impossible. In an e­mail interview from Kilinochchi, Nadesan, said, "It is impossibleto hold peace talks when one party, the Government of Sri Lanka, is undertaking large­scale militaryoffensives."

July 21 24 militants were killed and 15 others injured as the troops launched an attack on LTTE camps inthe Murunkaiyadippudi area of Mannar district.

During separate clashes between the two sides in the Kalawilan, Cheddapiddikulam andPandiyankulam areas in Mannar and Palamoddai, Madam and north of Navvi in Vavuniya, the SFskilled 10 LTTE militants and injured three others. One soldier was also killed and five others werewounded in these clashes.

The troops attacked one LTTE bunker complex in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district andkilled four militants and injured four others.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the SFs during an encounter in the Kiriibbanwewa area ofVavuniya district.

July 22 At least 22 Black Tigers were killed when the SLAF fighter jets carried out an air attack in theMullaitivu area targeting an LTTE training centre in the Udayarkattikkulam area East of Iranamadu.Udayarkattikkulam area is considered as a nerve centre of the outfit in the Mullaitivu district andhad been used for special training for its leaders.

12 LTTE militants were killed and about 30 others injured as the SFs launched an attack on theoutfit’s Murunkaiyadippudi camp in Mannar district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura and north ofKiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district and killed seven of them and injured 22 others.

The SFs killed five LTTE cadres and injured six others in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district.Two soldiers were wounded in the incident.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament that the Government would not enter into anyagreement with the LTTE although they have declared a unilateral cease­fire during the period of theSAARC summit.

July 23 23 LTTE militants were killed and 21 others injured during clashes with the troops in theEelamaruttankulam, Pungntharumadu and Nauvi areas of Mannar district and north of Janakapuraand Kiriibbanwewa in the Vavuniya district. While four soldiers were also killed during the clashes inNauvi and south of Kalvilan, 10 others were injured in these clashes.

The SFs attacked an LTTE bunker in the Kilaly area of Jaffna district and killed three militants.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama during a meeting with his Australian counterpart StephenSmith on the sidelines of the 15th ASEAN Regional Forum in Singapore expressed serious concernover the activities of the LTTE and its front organizations in the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Australia.Citing the ongoing criminal prosecution against three Australians of Sri Lankan origin on chargesrelating to raising funds for terrorism as well as the recent arrest of another Australian in Melbourne,at the request of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, as significant steps by Australia tosupport the global fight against terrorism, Bogollagama urged the Australia to proscribe the LTTE asa terrorist organisation.

July 24 13 LTTE militants were killed and more than 42 others injured during separate encounters with thetroops in the Pandiyankulam, Navakkulam, Navvi, north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa areas inthe Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were killed while 13 others sustained injuries during theseencounters.

Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said there is no truth in allegations that

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the Government has stopped air raids on the LTTE facilities.

A vertical dam is being constructed around what is thought to be LTTE chief’s VelupillaiPrabhakaran’s bunker in Wanni in order to construct a deep underground railway tunnel, as anescape plan in the event the SFs capture Kilinochchi, intelligence sources told Daily Mirror.

July 24­25 The troops advancing towards the Mullaitivu district captured the Vavunikkulam tank located three­km south of Mallavi Town in the Mullaitivu district on July 24­morning. The troops later repulsed aLTTE counter­attack on the Vavunikkulam tank. "So far the troops have collected 36 Tiger bodies inthe Vavunikkulam area killing more than 55 of them during the battle to capture Vavunikkulam tankbund and the subsequent attack to repulse the counter attack by the LTTE to regain control of thearea," Brigadier Nanayakkara said. Eight senior LTTE cadres, identified as ‘Lieutenant Colonel’Pallavan, ‘Major’ Ambumani, Selvakannan, Sellappu, Muhi, Illambu, Sudar and Jenathan, who wereat the commanding level of the 'Charles Anthony' brigade in Mannar sector were among the slainmilitants.

July 25 16 LTTE militants were killed and 10 others injured during clashes with the troops in thePandiyankalli, north of Oddankulam, Palamoddai and Navvi areas of Vavuniya district. Eightsoldiers were also killed while 10 others sustained injuries during these clashes.

Eight militants were killed and 10 others injured by the SFs when clashes erupted between the twosides in the area north of Janakapura area of Vavuniya district.

The Government is firmly committed to a political solution, while it is convinced that military actionis necessary to implement an equitable political solution, the Export Development and InternationalTrade Minister Professor G.L. Peiris said.

The visiting European Parliament delegation leader Robert Evans said that the LTTE should disarmand come to the negotiations table for a peaceful solution as terrorism has no place or legacyanywhere in the world.

July 26 The troops killed six LTTE militants during clashes in the Navathkulama and Navvi areas of theVavuniya district.

Troops confronted several group of LTTE militants in the areas north of Kiriibbanwewa and north ofJanakapura in Vavuniya district and killed three of them and injured 10 others.

Three LTTE cadres were killed by the security forces in the Muhamalai and Kilaly areas of Jaffnadistrict.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said that the day on which the oppressed masses of Kilinochchi andMullaitivu could enjoy the same freedom and the liberty enjoyed by the Eastern polity was not toofar away. He also rejected the cease­fire proclaimed unilaterally by the LTTE recently to mark theSAARC summit in Colombo.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse told Sunday Island that the LTTE is in disarray. Heasserted that they (LTTE) are falling apart like a pack of cards and fleeing for safety leaving behindheavy guns and artillery as never seen before.

July 27 SFs captured the Sugandan base, part of the LTTE’s One­Four base complex in the Mullaitivujungle. The Sugandan satellite base was a small base which was being used by the LTTE cadresfor communications, he added.

Seven LTTE militants were killed in three separate encounters with the troops in the areas north ofNavvi, Parappukkal and Kattikulam in Vavuniya district.

Four militants were killed and 13 others sustained injuries when clashes erupted between the twosides in the Ranabapura, Kiriibbanwewa and Ethawatunuwewa areas of Vavuniya district. Twosoldiers were killed in mortar fire by the LTTE while five others were wounded in explosions of IEDsand APMs in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa.

The troops attacked two LTTE bunkers in the area north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district andkilled five militants and injured seven others.

Sri Lanka defence officials said that the LTTE had obtained "a large number of vehicles" belongingto the NPA, an international non­governmental organization operating in the North. The vehicles,including few earth moving vehicles, trucks, jeeps, tractors, and motorbikes, were being used forbunker construction, transporting of LTTE leaders etc. NPA is one of Norway's largest non­governmental organisations, involved in more than 400 projects in 30 countries.

July 28 Nine LTTE militants and three soldiers were killed while more than 25 other militants and six

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soldiers were injured as clashes erupted between the two sides in the areas north of Janakapura,north of Kokkuthuduvai and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district.

12 militants were killed and five others injured by the SFs during clashes at Adampan Kulam andIluppakadaweli in the Mannar district.

The troops clashed with militants in the Navathkulama, Vilakkavettikulam, Kuttimulei and north ofNavvi areas in the Vavuniya district and killed nine of them and injured four others.

July 29 LTTE militants operating in the Thunukkai and Kavilan areas of Mullaitivu district opened mortar firetowards the troops in the north of Thunukkai and killed two soldiers while injuring three others. In theretaliatory fire, the SFs killed eight militants.

Five LTTE militants were killed while three others were wounded by the SFs as the troops capturedan LTTE bunker in the Kalmadu area of Mannar district. One soldier was also killed in the incident.

The SFs neutralised several LTTE camps in the area east of Vellankulam in Mannar district andkilled four militants in Adampan Kulam.

In the wake of the intensified military operations and Government forces’ taking control of virtuallythe entire Mannar district, over a hundred thousand people have evacuated their homes and movedto the heartland of LTTE­controlled Kilinochchi district as displaced refugees, said Tamil media andeducation ministry sources, adding that about 55 schools in the Wanni region have been closed toaccommodate the families. People in Mannar­Kilinochchi and Mannar­Mullaitivu borders are alsoevacuating their homes and moving as displaced refuges, the sources added. 35 schools in theMannar Madhu zone and 20 schools in both the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts have beenclosed.

July 30 While one LTTE bunker was destroyer, at least eight militants were killed and 17 others injured bythe troops in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE cadres in the Navathkulama, Kattikulam and Vedamakilam areasof Vavuniya district and killed eight of them and injured three others.

The SFs attacked and destroyed a heavily fortified LTTE camp in the north of Kiriibbanwewa inVavuniya district after a seven­hour long battle killing five militants. Among those killed include oneLTTE woman leader, "Lieutenant Colonel" Kadiravani, and "Captain" Vageesan. One soldiersustained injuries in the incident.

July 31 The troops crossed the district borders between Mannar and Kilinochchi at an undisclosed locationon the Mannar­Vavuniya combined warfront. 20 LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed in theoperation during which the troops established their control over five square kilometers area inMundampiddy.

The troops attacked an LTTE camp in the Mundampiddy area of Mannar district and killed sevenmilitants.

SFs clashed with LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa inVavuniya district and killed six of them and injured 10 others.

Five top LTTE militants were killed during clashes with the SFs at Janakapura in the Vavuniyadistrict. Four women cadres, including, "Lieutenant Colonel" Kumaveri Thangeamma, leader of theLTTE’s women’s wing in Mullaitivu, and three of her accomplices, Kanthimani, Pushparani andMagolechchami, were among those killed.

The troops neutralized three LTTE bunkers in the area north of Navvi and another in the Palamoddaiarea in Vavuniya district. Four militants were reportedly killed in these operations.

Four militants were killed and eight others wounded by the SFs during clashes between the twosides in the Thunukkai area of Mullaitivu district.

The troops captured a stretch of about 1.5­km in the Nachchakuda area on A­32 Mannar­PoonerynRoad.

The LTTE could still wage a protracted low­intensity insurgency with hidden resources despite amilitary victory over the outfit, a senior foreign ministry official said. "Defeating the LTTE might notbe the end of the story because an organisation like this might still have some resources hiddenaway," Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary Palitha Kohona told Reuters in an interview. "This mightcontinue to be a problem for us. So the way we are trying to resolve this problem is... by acombination of military and political means," he said. "Our resource base is not that extensive. Ourcosts will escalate with the recovery of the last two districts in the north," he added.

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August 1 15 soldiers and nine militants were killed while 27 militants and 20 soldiers were wounded asclashes erupted between the two sides in the Malawi area of Mullaitivu district.

Seven militants were killed during an encounter between the two sides in the Vellankulam area ofMannar district.

The troops killed eight militants and injured three others in the Navvi and Palamoddai areas ofVavuniya district.

Four militants were killed by the troops in the Paddadmutthukulam and Navathkulama areas ofVavuniya district.

Four LTTE cadres were killed and eight others injured in Kiriibbanwewa and Janakapura areas ofVavuniya district.

The troops killed three militants in the Vellankulam area of Mannar district. Two soldiers were alsokilled while two others were injured.

August 2 Sri Lanka military captured Vellankulam town, the northernmost town in the Mannar district. At least30 LTTE militants were killed and the remaining reportedly used sea routes to withdraw. With thecapture of Vellankulam, the entire Mannar district came under the control of the security forces forthe first time.

Three militants were killed by the troops in the Palamoddai and north of Navvi areas in Vavuniyadistrict.

SFs killed three LTTE cadres and wounded another in the Kalvilan and Malawi areas of theMullaitivu district.

August 3 Troops attached to the 58th Division advanced further northwards on the Mannar­Pooneryn roadafter shifting the entire 58th Division into the Kilinochchi district. "At least 15 Tiger cadres werekilled in the confrontation that erupted yesterday in the North of Vellankulam," an unnamed seniormilitary official said.

The troops advancing towards the areas north of Vellankulam in Kilinochchi district repulsed LTTEattacks and killed 12 militants and injured 14 others.

SFs killed nine militants and wounded seven others at Vellankulam in Kilinochchi district. Twosoldiers were also killed in the incident.

Five militants were killed and two others wounded during encounters between the two sides in theUttimodai and Kovilan areas of Vavuniya district.

A LTTE makeshift camp on the Iranatheevu islands, about 12­km west of Nachchakuda beach inthe Kilinochchi district, was destroyed by the Naval troops. During the raid, Navy destroyed oneLTTE boat and killed four militants. Sailors also captured two LTTE boats along with their Out BoardMotors, one stretcher, a haul of medical items, two cans full of fuel and a tent.

The SFs confronted LTTE militants in the areas north of Kiriibbanwewa, Andankulam andRanabapura areas in Vavuniya district and killed three of them and injured 20 others. One soldierwas also killed in Ranabapura while another sustained injury in an APM explosion in the north ofKiriibbanwewa.

The SFs killed three LTTE cadres in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district. One soldierwas also killed while another was injured during the incident.

Three soldiers were killed while another sustained injuries in a grenade explosion in theThanankilappu area of Jaffna district.

30000 persons have been displaced in Wanni due to the fighting and air strikes in the last twomonths and the region is also experiencing a shortage of medicines and other supplies, the latestUN reports said last week.

August 4 The troops attacked a fortified LTTE camp located north of Vellankulam in the Kilinochchi districtand killed five militants while injuring six others. Two soldiers were killed in mortar fire by the LTTEand another was wounded in an APM explosion.

August 4 11 LTTE militants were killed in clashes with the troops in the Thunukkai, south of Kalvilan,Kalaikadu and Vellaimuntai areas in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. One soldier was alsokilled while five others sustained injuries during these clashes.

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Seven militants were killed and nine others wounded during clashes with the troops in thePaddikkudiyiruppu, Pullekyarkulam, Navathkulama and Palamoddai areas of Vavuniya district.Among the dead was Kumaran Master, the Pullekyarkulam area leader of the outfit. One soldierwas also injured in an anti­personnel mine explosion in the Palamoddai area.

The troops killed six militants and injured 14 others in the areas north of Janakapura andKiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district.

August 5 26 militants were killed and more than 73 others injured during clashes with the troops in theMannar, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. Three soldiers were also killed while eightothers sustained injuries in these clashes.

The SFs confronted LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura and Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniyadistrict and killed 10 of them and injured 20 others.

Sri Lanka police has asked for public support in tracing a most wanted Black Tiger, identified asMohammed Amzar Ramzin alias Sannakkiyan. According to the Defence Ministry, he was themastermind of many civilian massacres, including the bus bombing at Dambulla and the suicidebomb blast that killed over 100 navy personnel at Digampathana.

The LTTE now controls about 4000 sq km or just six percent of Sri Lanka’s land territory, an IndoAsian News Service report quoting Tamil activists and diplomatic sources said. And the populationunder its control is said to be about 250000 ­ 1.25 percent of the country’s total. In 2005, the LTTEreportedly controlled a vast area in the north and east.

August 6 Seven LTTE militants were killed and more then 10 others wounded during clashes with the SFs inthe area north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. One soldier died in an IED explosion in thesame area.

The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district andkilled five militants and injured 18 others.

Troops attacked the Muhamalai FDL of the LTTE in the Jaffna district from seven different flankskilling at least five militants and injuring 25 others. Three soldiers were injured in APM explosions inthe area.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said that denying the LTTE access to INGOs and NGOsmaterial was a critical element in Government’s efforts to destroy the terrorist group.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake while submitting the proposal to extend emergency saidthat 106 security force personnel and 24 civilians were killed during the past month. The Parliamentextended emergency regulations for another month.

August 7 Nine LTTE militants were killed and at least 22 others injured during clashes with the troops in theAndankulam and Kiriibbanwewa areas of Vavuniya district. Four soldiers were also killed while 16others sustained injuries in these incidents.

The SFs clashed with LTTE militants in the north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district and killed fourmilitants while wounding six others. One soldier was killed and another was injured during theclashes.

August 8 15 militants were killed during clashes with the troops in the Thennayankuma area of Mullaitivudistrict.

The SFs killed five militants in the Thennayankuma and Malawi areas of the Mullaitivu district.Three soldiers were also killed while eight others were wounded in the incident.

The troops captured two LTTE bunkers killing six militants and wounding 18 others in theAndankulam, north of Kiriibbanwewa and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district.

SFs killed five LTTE cadres and injured another during clashes in the Kallamparawa, AdampanKulam and Palamodaikulam areas of Kilinochchi district.

August 9 During clashes between the two sides in the Palamoddai, Nadunkulam and Navathkulama areas ofVavuniya district, the troops killed 16 militants and injured 10 others.

The SFs killed four militants and injured 14 others in the areas north of Janakapura andAndankulam areas in Vavuniya district.

August 10 15 LTTE militants were killed and 13 others injured by the SFs in an encounter between the twosides in the area south of Nayaru lagoon in Mullaitivu district. During subsequent search operations,the SFs recovered the dead bodies of seven militants, including four of the Imran Pandiyan Group

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and three of the Sea Tigers.

The troops opened fire on LTTE positions ahead of the Kilaly FDL in Jaffna district and killed 15militants.

Eight LTTE cadres were killed as the SFs captured an LTTE bunker complex with trenches thatintercommoned each bunker in the area north of Navvi in Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the areas north of Janakapura and Andankulam inVavuniya district and killed seven of them and injured at least 15 others. One soldier was also killedwhile three others were injured.

During an encounter between the two sides in the Kariyalanmodai area of Kilinochchi district, theSFs killed seven militants.

The troops killed four militants in the Kunchankulam area of Kilinochchi district.

Three LTTE cadres were killed by the troops as clashes erupted between the two sides in theKopavitchanulam area of Vavuniya district.

August 11 Six LTTE militants were killed and four others wounded by the SFs during clashes in theKariyalanmodai area of Kilinochchi district. Two soldiers were also killed while eight otherssustained injuries in the in incident.

The SFs in an encounter killed five LTTE cadres and injured four others in the Palamoddai area ofVavuniya district.

The troops observed an LTTE boat movement in the seas off Adampan Kulam in Kilinochchi districtand opened fire on the flotilla of about six boats completely destroying one boat while severelydamaging the others. In the ensuing exchange of fire, the troops killed three militants while themilitant’s counter fire killed one soldier.

The troops confronted LTTE militants in the Koliyankulam area in Vavuniya district and killed threeof them.

The troops captured the Kalekuda Jetty, about two­kms north of the Mannar­Kilinochchi districtboundary. The jetty reportedly used by the LTTE to facilitate their sea movement and smuggling,gives an adequate view of the outfit’s Nachchakuda Sea Tiger base, located about two­kmsnorthwards.

August 12 The SFs killed six LTTE cadres and injured eight others in the Vedamakilam, Navakkulam andPalamoddai areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured during these clashes.

The troops during separate encounters in the Janakapura north, Andankulam and Kiriibbanwewanorth areas in Vavuniya district killed three militants and injured 26 others. One soldier was alsokilled while seven others sustained injuries in LTTE­triggered IED explosions and mortar fire.

Two soldiers and a militant were killed when clashes erupted between the two sides in theKidipidittankulam and Kalvilan areas, east of Vavunikkulam in Mullaitivu district. Three moremilitants and an equal number of soldiers sustained injuries in these clashes.

The troops captured two LTTE bunkers in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district killing threemilitants and injuring six others.

Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka refuted allegations by the LTTE that civilians inKilinochchi and Mullaitivu are getting killed and injured due to the shelling of the SFs.

The Jane’s Intelligence Report said in its August issue that the LTTE's annual income is "between$200­300 million making it the second biggest income generating terrorist organisation in the world."

The founder of the TMVP, ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman, said that military defeat is inevitable for theLTTE as it does not have a proper commander. He also warned that the LTTE may use chemicalweapons as their last resort. He confirmed that the outfit has the weapons but said he was notaware about the exact substance used.

Rejecting the opposition United National Party’s claim that the Government was holding secret talkswith the LTTE, Government Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told a mediabriefing in Colombo, "The Government will never go for peace talks unless the LTTE lays downarms since in our experience the LTTE usually come for peace talks or offers a ceasefire only whenthey are cornered."

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Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said the Army is on target to capture Kilinochchi town inthe next four months.

India has warned Sri Lanka that it may not be able to win an ongoing war against the LTTE despiterecent military gains.

August 13 The troops captured Mulankavil, the second most powerful administrative base for the LTTE in theKilinochchi district. 20 militants, including one area leader identified as Thennaman, were killedduring the incident.

Troops attached to the 57 Division captured Kalvilan village in Mullaitivu district after two days offighting. According to sources, more than 30 militants were killed as troops repulsed six counterattacks of the LTTE to foil the advance of the troops into the village.

Seven LTTE militants were killed and 13 others injured during clashes with the troops in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district.

The SFs captured one LTTE bunker and two trench lines in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniyadistrict killing four militants while injuring seven others.

August 14 35 LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed while 48 militants and 10 soldiers sustained injuriesduring clashes between the two sides at places north of Janakapura, Kiriibbanwewa,Panikkamadammadu, Kalaikadu, Poddimodikulam, Komankulam, Palamoddai, Navathkulama andnorth of Kalvilan in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.

In the encounter at Palamoddai in Vavuniya district, the SFs captured four bunkers and one 81­mmmortar point killing nine militants and injuring 10 others.

Nine militants were killed by the troops in the area north of Janakapura in Vavuniya district.

August 15 Nine LTTE militants and a soldier were killed as clashes erupted between the two sides in theNachchakuda and Panikkamadammadu areas of Kilinochchi district.

The SFs attacked several LTTE hideouts in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district killing sevenmilitants and injuring six others.

The SFs in separate encounters at Andankulam and Kokkuthuduvai in Vavuniya district killed threeLTTE cadres and injured 16 others. Four soldiers were also injured in an IED explosion.

August 16 The troops captured LTTE’s ‘Jeevan Base’, a large underground training facility of the outfit, in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district at around 4.30 pm (SLST), the Defence Ministry said.

Five militants and four soldiers were killed as clashes erupted between the two sides in the areassouth of Thunukkai and Malawi in Mullaitivu district. 11 militants and four soldiers sustained injuriesin these clashes.

The troops captured an LTTE bunker in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district killing six militantsand injuring another. One soldier was also injured during the exchange of fire.

Four more militants were killed in an encounter with the troops in the Kariyalanmodai area ofKilinochchi district. One soldier was killed and two others were wounded in the incident.

During an encounter in the in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district, the SFs killed two militantsand injured four others. Two soldiers were also killed while three others were wounded.

August 17 23 LTTE militants and four soldiers were killed and more than 46 militants and four soldiers wereinjured as clashes erupted between the two sides at several places in the Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi andVavuniya districts.

The SFs attacked several LTTE camps in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district killing sevenmilitants and injuring nine others. One soldier sustained injuries in an APM explosion in the samearea.

The troops neutralised three fortified LTTE bunkers in the Nachchakuda area of Kilinochchi andkilled six militants and wounded 13 others. Two soldiers were also killed while 11 others sustainedinjuries in the incident. Elsewhere, a soldier was injured in the explosion of an LTTE laid booby trapin the Mundampiddy area.

The SFs killed four militants and injured five others in the Uyilankulam area of Mullaitivu district.Two soldiers were also killed while four others sustained injuries in this incident.

Six militants were killed and 19 others sustained injuries during separate encounters with the troops

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in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Four soldiers were also killed during these clashes.

August 18 President Mahinda Rajapakse asserted that after the lapse of a prolonged period of absolutetolerance and patience and failed negotiations with the LTTE, his Government eventually respondedin the language best understood by the terrorists with the strong resolve of not turning back until thevery last terrorist is captured.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake has predicted that the LTTE’s stronghold might becaptured by the military before the two Provincial Council ­ North Central Provincial Council and theSabaragamuwa Provincial Council – polls scheduled to be held on August 23.

The military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara called on the LTTE cadres to surrendergiving up their arms and said action would be taken to rehabilitate them.

33 LTTE militants were killed and more than 16 others injured during clashes with the SFs in theNachchakuda, Navakkulam, Palamoddai, Uyilankulam, Sinnapuliyanperumal, Andankulam,Kokkuthuduvai and Vannavikulam areas of the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts. Twosoldiers were also killed while six others sustained injuries during the clashes at Nachchakuda,Vannavikulam, Andankulam and Kokkuthuduvai.

Three soldiers were killed and another was wounded in an LTTE mortar attack in the Muhamalaiarea of Jaffna district.

The LTTE tacitly admitted they were losing ground in the face of a major military offensive bywarning that thousands of civilians in the north were at risk. In their first public acknowledgementthat Government forces were moving deeper into areas previously held by them, the outfit saidcivilians have had to move several times because of the military onslaught. More than 112000people have been displaced in the past two months by heavy fighting between the militants andtroops, aid agencies said last week.

The Free Media Movement alleged that a TMVP supporter threatened journalist Thakshila Jayasenafrom the BBC Sandeshaya when he was covering a protest campaign by the main opposition UnitedNational Party.

August 19 21 LTTE militants and two soldiers were killed while 23 soldiers sustained injuries as clasheserupted between the two sides in the areas south and east of Vannavikulam, west of Thunukkai,south of Malawi and Andankulam in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Palamoddai and Vedamakilam areas of Vavuniyadistrict and killed four of them.

August 20 Six LTTE cadres were killed in clashes with the security forces in the Konakkarankulam andPalamoddai areas of Vavuniya district.

The Sri Lankan Government has urged the international community to put pressure on the LTTE toallow civilians to leave the conflict zones to safety. A Government statement said the LTTE waspreventing thousands of families from moving to safer areas by imposing a strict pass system. Insome instances, the outfit is reportedly forcing people to stay behind to ensure the return of othermembers of their families.

August 21 Six militants and two soldiers were killed while nine militants and seven soldiers sustained injuriesas clashes erupted between the twos sides in the Vanarakulam area of Kilinochchi district.

The SFs clashed with a group of LTTE militants in the Thunukkai and south of Malawi areas in thewest Mullaitivu and killed six militants. One soldier was also killed while two others were wounded inLTTE mortar fire and explosions of anti­personnel mines.

Five militants were killed during clashes between the two sides in the Nachchakuda andPalamoddai areas of Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts. A soldier was also killed during the fightingin Palamoddai area.

The SFs killed five LTTE cadres and wounded 22 others during separate clashes in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district.

Troops entered the Thunukkai town in the Mullaitivu district, west of the Jaffna­Kandy A­9 road.Thunukkai is reportedly an alternative hideout of the outfit’s chief Velupillai Prabhakaran.

The Colombo High Court Judge, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe, reissued notice to four suspects,including LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, in connection with the assassination of the formerForeign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

August 22 Troops captured Thunukkai, the second most important administrative hub of the LTTE, taking the

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August 22 Troops captured Thunukkai, the second most important administrative hub of the LTTE, taking theForward Defences of the ground troops’ just 12­kilometres south of Kilinochchi, after capturingUyilankulam, located eight kilometers north of Thunukkai. At least 20 militants and five soldierswere killed during the two days of clashes in Thunukkai.

The SFs captured three LTTE trenches killing seven militants and wounding 17 others in the northof Palamoddai in Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants and killed three of them while injuring three others in thenorth of Palamoddai in Vavuniya district.

The SFs killed five militants and wounded 20 others in two separate attacks in the Anandankulamarea of Vavuniya district.

Five militants were killed and nine others sustained injuries during clashes with the troops in theareas south of Malawi, Uyilankulam and Thunukkai in Mullaitivu district. Seven soldiers were alsowounded in the incident.

During another clash between the Army and the LTTE militants in the Aithimundai and Maniarkulamareas, the SFs killed four militants while three soldiers got wounded in the fighting.

The Government accused the LTTE of conscripting civilians to fight the troops advancing into theoutfit controlled areas as their numbers dwindle due to the fighting.

August 23 11 LTTE militants were killed and nine others injured during an encounter with the SFs in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Ranabapura and Janakapura areas of Vavuniyadistrict and killed five of them.

Five more LTTE cadres were killed as the troops neutralised two bunkers in the Palamoddai area ofVavuniya district.

The SFs killed five militants in an encounter in the Vedamakilam area of Kilinochchi district.

The troops neutralised a LTTE bunker in the Vedamakilam area of Vavuniya district killing fourmilitants.

August 24 12 LTTE militants were killed and 12 others were wounded during clashes with the Army in the eastof Tunukkai, Vannarikulam, Palamoddai, Andankulam, north of Kiriibbanwewa and other areas ofKilinochchi and Vavuniya districts.

August 25 Eight militants were killed and 11 others injured as the troops captured another 800m long stretch ofland under their control from the Tannimurippukulam tank bund, about 9.5­km to the north East ofNedunkerni in Kilinochchi district.

The SFs neutralised an LTTE bunker line in the Vannavikulam area of Kilinochchi district killing sixmilitants and injuring four others. One soldier was also killed while seven others sustained injuries.

Four soldiers were killed and a similar number of them wounded when the LTTE militants openedmortar fire from the east of Thunukkai and also from the Ariyamadu area towards the troops to thewest of Mullaitivu town centre.

August 26 17 militants were killed and 60 others injured during clashes with the SFs in the Koliyankulam,Navakkulam, Andankulam, Nitthikaikulam and Palamoddai areas of Vavuniya district, Alankulam inthe Mullaitivu district and Wannarikulam in Kilinochchi district. Two soldiers were also killed while 16others sustained injuries in LTTE mortar fire and explosions of anti­personnel mines and boobytraps during the fighting in these areas.

The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the Kilali, Puthur and Therankandal areas of Jaffnadistrict and killed 10 of them.

Using a small aircraft, the LTTE dropped two improvised bombs on Trincomalee naval base onAugust 26­night. The Defence Ministry said the LTTE launched the air raid on the naval camp atabout 9:15 pm (SLST). Naval sources, confirming the attack, said the raid caused minor damagesand added that one bomb out of the two dropped failed to explode. 10 sailors were injured in theattack.

August 27 11 LTTE cadres were killed and 13 others injured during an encounter with the SFs in thePalamoddai area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed in an improvised explosive deviceexplosion while two others sustained injuries during the fighting and explosions of anti­personnel

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mines.

The SFs neutralised three LTTE trench lines in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district killing fivemilitants and wounding seven others.

August 28 Troops captured the strategic Palamoddai town, six kilometers northwest of the Omanthai entry exitpoint in the Vavuniya district.

The troops also captured Uluththuveli area in the Mullaitivu district.

19 militants and four soldiers were killed while 32 persons were injured during clashes between thetwo sides in the east of Thunukkai, Alankulam and areas about two kilometers to the east ofNachchakuda in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. Troops later captured the Alankulam area.

18 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured during clashes with the SFs in theVavunikkulam, Nitthikaikulam and Andankulam areas in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts. Onesoldier was also killed while 19 others sustained injuries during these clashes.

The SFs clashed with LTTE militants in the Palamoddai and Navakkulam areas of Vavuniya districtkilling at least 15 of them.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse said that civilians in areas where military operations aregoing on are being urged to come to cleared areas as the Government’s main concern is to protectthem.

August 29 Eight militants were killed as clashes erupted between the two sides in the Vannavikulam area ofKilinochchi district. Four more soldiers and at least three militants sustained injuries in the incident.

Five LTTE cadres were killed and three others were wounded during clashes with the SFs in thearea north of Palamoddai in Vavuniya district.

The troops killed four militants and wounded 14 others during separate encounters in theAndankulam and Kokkuthuduvai areas of Vavuniya district.

August 30 Nine militants were killed and five others injured by the SFs as clashes erupted between the twosides in the Vannavikulam, Kariyalanmodai and Nachchakuda areas of Kilinochchi district.

Four LTTE cadres were killed while six others sustained injuries during an encounter with the troopsin the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district.

LTTE militants opened mortar fire towards SFs in the Malawi area of Mullaitivu district killing threesoldiers and injuring nine others.

Three SF personnel were killed and four others injured when the LTTE militants fired mortarstowards the troops at Konketiyawa in the Vavuniya district.

The troops, during separate encounters in the Navakkulam and north of Palamoddai areas inVavuniya district, killed three LTTE cadres.

48 persons, including two children and seven women, were injured in an LTTE­triggered parcel bombexplosion at the Bo­Tree Junction in the Pettah area of capital Colombo.

August 31 The troops clashed with LTTE militants in the Andankulam and north of Kokkuthuduvai areas inVavuniya district killing at least 16 of them and injuring 19 others. Two soldiers were also killed andfive soldiers sustained injuries in this incident.

During an encounter in the Vannavikulam area of Kilinochchi district, the SFs killed seven militantsand wounded nine others. Three soldiers were also killed while 16 others sustained injuries intheses clashes.

The troops killed 10 militants during a clash at Konketiyawa in the Padaviya area of Vavuniyadistrict.

September 1 Troops captured the strategically important Malawi town on September 1­afternoon, military sourcessaid. Malawi, one of the main administrative hubs of the LTTE where they kept many of their foreignvisitors arriving in the Wanni to meet their leaders, is located surrounding the ninth mile post on theMankulam­ Vellankulam road which links the Jaffna Kandy A­9 road and the Mannar­ Pooneryn A­32 road. Malawi reportedly has a hospital, banks and a massive bakery complex which can make5000 loaves of bread at once.

18 LTTE militants were killed and more than 21 others injured during clashes with the troops in theareas north of Palamoddai and Navakkulam in Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed while

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the troops recovered the dead bodies of five slain militants along with three T­56 weapons and onecommunication set.

BBC reports that civilians living in LTTE­held areas were urged by the outfit to build bunkers. Theleaflets said, "No houses should be without bunkers. Be it road junctions, play grounds, schools,business establishments, offices­ in all places bunkers should be constructed as SafetyMechanisms."

The Government announced the Ministry of Defence had taken "swift measures to establish a safecorridor" to enable passage of civilians in the LTTE­held territory in the north.

Eight LTTE cadres were killed and 23 others sustained injuries during clashes with the troops in theAndankulam and north of Kokkuthuduvai areas in Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were wounded inthese clashes.

The troops neutralised three LTTE trench lines in the areas north of Palamoddai, Navathkulama andKottakkarankulam areas in the Vavuniya district killing seven militants and injuring nine others. Onesoldier was also killed while the troops recovered two T­56 weapons from the incident site.

September 2 At least 44 LTTE militants were killed and more than 100 others injured during two days of clashesbetween the troops and militants in the Malawi area in Mullaitivu district. Three soldiers were alsokilled while 18 others sustained injuries during these clashes. The troops which according to earlierreports had captured the Malawi town on September 1 took full control of the Malawi area onSeptember 2.

At least 17 militants were killed while 18 others sustained injuries during clashes with the troops inthe Nachchakuda and Kunchankulam areas of Kilinochchi district. Five soldiers were also killedwhile 17 others were wounded. One T­56 weapon, one anti tank mine, twelve booby traps and thirtyAPMs were recovered from the possession of slain militants.

During another encounter between the two sides in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district, theSFs killed 19 militants and injured 23 others. One soldier was also killed while another sustainedinjuries in the incident.

10 LTTE militants were killed and 13 others wounded as the troops captured about 400­meters ofland at Terankandal in the Akkarayankulam area of Kilinochchi district neutralising an LTTE bunkerline. 31 soldiers sustained injuries during these clashes.

The troops killed six more militants and injured 11 others in the Andankulam area of Vavuniyadistrict.

Troops recovered 12 dead bodies of militants from Padaviya and five dead bodies from Palamoddaiin the Vavuniya district, two dead bodies from Trincomalee district and one dead body from theMalawi area in Mullaitivu district.

September 3 The SFs killed 22 militants, including one LTTE intelligence leader identified as ‘Lieutenant Colonel’Neelavan, in the Vannavikulam area of Kilinochchi district.

19 partly disfigured and decomposed corpses of soldiers delivered to the ICRC officials by the LTTEin the Mullaitivu district was received by the Army authorities serving Omanthai Entry/Exit point inthe Vavuniya district. Of them, seven dead bodies have been so far identified as those of thesoldiers who had gone missing in the Nachchakuda area of Kilinochchi district on after heavyfighting on September 2.

Eight more militants were killed in the Palamoddai and Navakkulam areas of Vavuniya district.

Three militants were killed in two separate encounters with the troops in the Nagarkovil andMuhamalai areas of Jaffna district.

While acknowledging Sri Lankan Government's efforts to improve the freedom of movement ofcivilians affected by the fighting in the north, the UN officials in Sri Lanka urged the LTTE to allowthe civilians to leave the battle fields for safety. The UN Country Team in Sri Lanka said they have"raised with the LTTE its urgent concern that civilians be allowed maximum freedom of movement

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of all times." A recent UN IASC report estimates that 74,119 individuals (18,970 families) have beendisplaced since June due to the fighting in the north­west. UN officials said the displaced havemoved into Kilinochchi district which is still under LTTE control. The IASC report stated that therewere 134868 individuals (35,353 families) displaced in the district, and more than 160000 InternallyDisplaced Persons in the central­north area, the Wanni, controlled by the LTTE.

September 4 At least 18 LTTE militants were killed and three others wounded during clashes with the troops inthe Vannavikulam, Andankulam and Akkarayannagar areas of the Kilinochchi and Vavuniyadistricts.

11 more partly disfigured and decomposed corpses of soldiers delivered to the ICRC officials by theLTTE was received by the Army authorities serving Omanthai Entry/Exit point in the Vavuniyadistrict.

At least nine militants and a soldier were killed as clashes erupted between the two sides in theAkkarayankulam, Mannikkandannadu, Vannavikulam and adjoining areas of Kilinochchi district.Nine more militants and six soldiers were wounded during these clashes.

The troops confronted a group of seven militants in the Vedamakilam area of Vavuniya districtkilling five of them.

The troops eliminated five LTTE cadres during an encounter in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniyadistrict. One soldier was also killed during the incident.

Four militants and a soldier were killed while five militants got wounded during clashes in theAndankulam and Kurundankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops repulsed an LTTE attack in the Mannikkandannadu area of Kilinochchi district killing fourmilitants while injuring nine others. Three soldiers also received injuries during the fighting.

During another encounter in the Akkarayankulam area of Vavuniya district the troops killed fourLTTE militants.

The SFs attacked three LTTE bunkers ahead of the Muhamalai FDL in the Jaffna district and killedthree militants while injuring at least six others.

President Mahinda Rajapakse asserted that his Government would shortly move towardsestablishing the ninth Provincial Council. "When we came into power there were only sevenProvincial Councils functioning in the country. We have now increased it up to eight. We wouldestablish the ninth Provincial Council shortly," the President said after he swore in the ChiefMinisters for the North Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces at a ceremony at the PresidentialSecretariat. He also said: "We held the Eastern Provincial Council election and a Chief Minister forthe East was elected. Similarly we would set up the Northern Provincial Council shortly."

September 5 At least 14 LTTE militants were killed during confrontations with the troops in the Thalikkulam,Vedamakilam and North of Palamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district. Troops later recovered thedead bodies of six slain militants along with four T­56 weapons and two bicycles from theThalikkulam area.

Eight militants were killed and 13 others injured in clashes with the troops in the Andankulam andnorth of Kiriibbanwewa areas in the Vavuniya district. The SFs also neutralised an LTTE bunker,one communicative trench line, one mortar location and recovered two hand grenades, 150 T­56ammunition and 550 MPMG ammunition after the clashes.

Three members of the TCHR, a pro­LTTE Non Governmental Organisation were evicted from the61st Annual UNESCO Conference of DPI/NGO at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris \. TheUNESCO conference authorities cancelled the registration of the three members ­ S.V.Kirubahar,Director TCHR, France, Mrs Deirdre McConnel Kirubahara, Director TCHR, UK and J. Jean­Marie,Program Officer, TCHR, Paris – who had registered as participants submitting false information tothe Department of Public Information of UNESCO and the DPI/NGO Conference Secretariat in Parisand New York.

September 6 At least five LTTE militants were killed and another injured during encounters with the troops in thearea north from Palamoddai in Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also killed in the LTTE mortarfire while another was injured in an APM explosion during the clashes.

The Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said that the Sri Lankan Government will "findonly a political solution to a political issue," and its military engagement was "purely as a meanstowards eliminating terrorism."

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September 7 11 LTTE militants were killed and at least six others injured by the troops as clashes eruptedbetween the two sides in the Periyamadu, east of Nachchakuda and Vannavikulam areas inVavuniya and Kilinochchi districts. Four soldiers sustained injuries due to mortar fire and activationof an LTTE APM in these areas.

Eight more militants were killed and 15 others injured during separate clashes between the twosides in the Andankulam and north of Kiriibbanwewa in Vavuniya district. Four soldiers alsosustained injuries during these clashes.

The SFs killed three militants and inured four others in the area north of Palamoddai in the Vavuniyadistrict and captured two trench lines.

The Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has said that the change in the strategy of the SriLankan Army along with accurate Intelligence inputs have led the island nation to advance into theLTTE stronghold in northern areas.

Foreign Ministry Secretary Dr. Palitha Kohona stressed the need to end fundraising and propagandacapacity of the LTTE and its fronts in the West. "At a time Sri Lanka is engaged in the arduous taskof putting an end to terrorism in the north of the country, it was vital to also end the capacity of theLTTE and its front organizations to raise funds and engage in propaganda in Western countries," theForeign Ministry said quoting Kohona.

September 8 Troops killed 10 militants while injuring nine others as clashes erupted between the two sides in theNachchakuda, Tambalamunai, Panisaikundumadu and Vannavikulam areas of Kilinochchi district tothe west of the A­9 road.

Six more militants were killed while six others received injuring in a separate clash with the troops inthe Uluththuveli and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The SFs neutralised an unspecified number of LTTE bunkers in the areas north of Palamoddai,Navathkulama and Kompuwennakulam areas of Vavuniya district killing three militants while injuringfour others.

September 9 The Sri Lanka military said that the combined air and artillery attack by LTTE over Vavuniya in thepre dawn hours killed 21 combatants on both sides. Preliminary reports said the abortive groundartillery attack on the Wanni SF’s Headquarters Complex in Vavuniya killed 10 Army soldiers andone Police constable. While seven airmen, nine Police constables and one civilian also sustainedinjuries as a result of exchange of heavy fire, the troops have so far recovered 10 bodies ofmilitants, including five female cadres. Simultaneously, two LTTE aircrafts providing support to theartillery attack dropped two bombs which missed their intended target falling on the office areafailing to cause much damage. Meanwhile, the SLAF fighter jets which had taken off fromKatunayake Air Base intercepted the two fleeing aircrafts and shot one down.

10 LTTE militants were killed and more than 20 others injured during confrontations with the troopsin the areas north of Rumulamunai, Vannavikulam, Kariyalanmodai and Ranaikandanamadu in theKilinochchi district.

Four cadres of the LTTE were killed and five others wounded in clashes with the SFs in theNavakkulam and north of Palamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district.

The troops killed three militants and injured three others in the Uluththuveli and Anandankulamareas of Vavuniya district.

September 10 Five LTTE cadres were killed and at least three others injured in clashes with the troops in theAkkarayankulam and Maniarkulam areas closer to the Kilinochchi­Mullaitivu districts boarders.Seven soldiers also sustained injuries during these clashes and explosion of an APM.

The troops killed five more militants during confrontations in the Vedamakilam and north ofPalamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district.

The SFs eliminated four LTTE cadres and wounded 10 others in an encounter in the Andankulamarea of Vavuniya district. Three soldiers also sustained injuries in LTTE mortar fire and explosion ofan APM.

According a report by the IASC there are at least 160000 IDPs in the Mullaitivu and Kilinochchidistricts, which are under LTTE control.

September 11 At least 19 LTTE militants were killed and five others wounded during clashes with the troops in theAkkarayankulam, Kariyalanmodai, Manirasakulam, Vannavikulam and Pannaikanthakadu areas ofKilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. While one soldier was killed during confrontation at

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Pannaikanthakadu, eight other soldiers reportedly got injured in confrontations in Kilinochchi district.

SFs killed 14 LTTE militants, including seven women cadres, during confrontations in the Vavuniyadistrict.

The troops eliminated 10 more militants and wounded eight during separate clashes in theVedamakilam and north of Palamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district.

Seven civilians, who had gone for cultivation work and collecting firewood, were killed by the LTTEmilitants at Ethimale village in the Kotiyagala area close to the Ampara­Moneragala district borders.While four of them were killed using T­56 weapons from a certain distance, the other three aboard atractor, were shot dead with pistol at a close range.

Six more militants were killed and two others received injuries in an encounter with the SFs in thearea south of Nayaru in Kilinochchi district.

The troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district andkilled four militants. Two soldiers also sustained injuries in the clashes.

September 12 Eight militants were killed and nine others injured during separate clashes with the security forces inthe Vedamakilam, north of Palamoddai, north of Janakapura, Andankulam and Perankulam in theVavuniya district and Akkarayankulam, Nachchakuda, Vannavikulam and Vanneikandamadu in theKilinochchi district. One soldier was also killed while nine others got injured in LTTE mortar fire andexplosion of anti­personnel mines.

September 13 At least 19 LTTE militants were killed and more than 20 others injured during clashes with thetroops in the Akkarayankulam, Vannavikulam and Nachchakuda areas of Kilinochchi district andAndankulam in the Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured in the confrontation atNachchakuda.

Eight militants were eliminated by the SFs during encounters in the Navakkulam, Mamaduwa andnorth of Palamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district. Troops alter recovered the dead body of theterrorist killed in Mamaduwa along with two hand grenades.

September 14 The SFs confronted with the militants at Andankulam and Tannimurippukulam in the Vavuniyadistrict killing eight LTTE cadres while injuring at least 19 others. One soldier was injured in an IEDexplosion in Andankulam.

Six more militants were killed in clashes with the troops in the Navakkulam and north of Palamoddaiareas of Vavuniya district.

The SFs neutralized one LTTE bunker at Vannavikulam in the Kilinochchi district killing threemilitants while injuring two others.

Three more militants were killed and two others injured in an encounter in the Vannavikulam area ofKilinochchi district. 12 soldiers also sustained injuries in confrontations and IEDs explosions in thearea.

The Sri Lanka Army chief Sarath Fonseka reportedly told his senior officers that about 11000 LTTEcadres have been killed since the military launched its campaign to secure the Mavil Aru anicut inJuly 2006.

Police spokesman, Ranjith Gunasekara, has said the government has no intention of sending backcivilians, who have entered Colombo to escape from the north and east conflict.

September 15 At least 18 LTTE militants were killed as the troops of the 57 Division operating on the Vavuniyafront advanced six­kms east of Akkarayankulam tank in the Kilinochchi district further closingtowards the Jaffna Kandy A­9 road from the north of Kokkali, said Military spokesman BrigadierUdaya Nanayakkara. Three soldiers were killed and nine soldiers injured during theseconfrontations.

The UN Office of the Resident Humanitarian Coordinator for Sri Lanka has decided to relocate itsoffices in Vavuniya. According to UN, assurances has received from the LTTE that UN andhumanitarian agency staff remaining in Kilinochchi will be allowed to leave, with safe passageprovided to Omanthai entry/exit point, into government controlled areas of Sri Lanka.

Nine LTTE militants were killed and seven others injured during confrontations with the troops in theKaliyalamunai, Nachchakuda, Vannavikulam and Pannaikandamdu areas of Kilinochchi district. Twosoldiers were also injured in these clashes.

Troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and north of Palamoddai areas in the

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Vavuniya district and killed six militants while injuring two others. Three soldiers were also injured inLTTE mortar firing during the fighting.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said troops were on track to capture the outfit’s political capital inKilinochchi by the end of the year. Ruling out a future cease­fire with the LTTE he vowed to "finishthe war as soon as possible".

The President further said that his Government will seriously consider any request from India tohand over the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran when he is captured.

September 16 The SFs during separate encounters in the Palamoddai, North of Palamoddai and Vedamakilamareas of Vavuniya district killed 11 LTTE militants. One soldier also received injuries when the LTTEmilitants triggered an APM explosion.

Eight more militants were killed and 14 others wounded in encounters between the two sides in theareas east of Akkarayankulam and Vannavikulam in the Kilinochchi district. One soldier receivedinjuries in the Akkarayankulam area. The SFs captured one bunker following those confrontations.

The Government has reportedly put its health authorities on alert in order to face any possiblechemical attack by the LTTE during the fighting in the North, informed sources said.

The government is seeking the assistance of the people to prevent terrorist activities in thesouthern part of the country.

Sri Lanka has said that adopting a legislation by the United States would enable it to prosecuteforeign military leaders who recruit child soldiers.

September 17 At least 25 LTTE militants and four soldiers were killed while about 25 militants and 14 soldierswere injured as troops captured a 1.5­kilometres stretch of the huge earth bund at Karampaikkulam,eight kilometers northeast of Nachchakuda, in the Kilinochchi district.

Troops operating east of Akkarayankulam foiled three counter attacks by the LTTE to capture thearea under the security forces since September 15, killing at least 15 LTTE cadres. Troops are nowoperating just one kilometre west of the A­9 road in the Murikkandal area and 5.5 kilometres southof Kilinochchi.

The SFs during six separate clashes in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district killed 12 militants.One soldier was also injured in an APM explosion during the fighting.

Five LTTE cadres were killed and 24 others injured in an encounter with SFs in the Andankulamarea of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed and four others injured in the LTTE mortar fireand explosion of an APM during the clashes. Also, the troops overran a well­fortified LTTE campthat had four bunkers, one drinking­water well and a mortar pit in the same area after the militantsabandoned the camp and fled.

Three more LTTE militants were killed and another injured in confrontations with the troops in twoseparate incidents at Navakkulam and Konakkarankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The LTTE have used CS gas to attack Sri Lankan soldiers recently in the battlefronts of Wanniregion, the MCNS said. However, the Army is fully equipped and well geared up to face anyunacceptable ‘chemical or gas attacks of the enemy,’ MCNS added.

Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told Daily News that SFs operating in Wanni regionare ready to face any type of gas attacks by the LTTE as they have been equipped with gas masksto face such situations.

The security authorities have decided to hold a special census on the people now living in theWestern Province after fleeing the LTTE­held areas.

September 18 At least 25 Sea Tigers, cadres of the sea wing of the LTTE, were killed and 10 Sea Tiger boats,including three big ones, were destroyed in a four­hour long sea battle between naval troops and theSea Tigers in the seas off Valaipadu at Nachchakuda in the Kilinochchi district. Four navypersonnel received injuries in the fighting. The LTTE Sea Tiger cadres fled with four other damagedboats. Intercepted LTTE communications disclosed that the sea attack was led by a senior Sea

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Tiger cadre identified as Kader.

The SFs captured another 1.5 kilometres stretch of land in the Karampaikkulam area of Kilinochchidistrict killing 15 LTTE militants and injuring 18 others. Three soldiers were also killed while 12others received injuries during the clash.

At least 13 LTTE militants were killed and six others injured during clashes with the troops in andaround Andankulam in the Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were killed and one more injured in theconfrontations.

Troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the north of Palamoddai in the Vavuniya district killingat least eight militants. One soldier sustained injuries in the clashes.

Army Chief Commander Sarath Fonseka said that the LTTE will go underground rather than 'fight tothe last man'.

The Government distributed SLR 30 million for displaced persons in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi dueto the ongoing war in the northern region.

September 19 At least 12 LTTE militants were killed and five other injured in confrontations with the SFs in thearea north of Palamoddai in the Vavuniya district.

Troops killed four militants during separate encounters in the Poovarasankulam and Navakkulamareas of Vavuniya district.

Three LTTE cadres were killed and at least 18 others injured in clashes with the SFs in theAndankulam area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed in the incident.

The Sri Lankan government said that the resettlement of the Eastern Province is almost finishedunder the region's development project. Secretary to the Resettlement Ministry A.C.M. Razik saidat the moment, 51,851 families have been resettled.

The United States has announced that its USAID will launch a new multi­year initiative to improveeconomic growth in Eastern Sri Lanka.

September 20 At least 23 LTTE cadres were killed and a large number of others were injured during encountersbetween troops and militants in the areas west of Mankulam, Navaddikulam, north of Palamoddai,Akkarayankulam, Panniwedikulam, Vannavikulam, Punani Kodamadu and Andankulam in theKilinochchi and Vavuniya districts.

Three soldiers were killed in LTTE mortar fire in the Vannavikulam area of Kilinochchi district.Another soldier was killed in clashes with the LTTE militants in the Pannaikandamdu area.

September 21 At least 16 LTTE militants were killed and five others injured during clashes with the security forcesin the Akkarayankulam, Wannivilankulam and Vannavikulam areas of Kilinochchi district. Foursoldiers were also killed while five others received injuries during the confrontations.

The troops killed 11 LTTE militants, including provincial leader of the outfit, identified as Muttu inthe east of Navvi in Vavuniya district.

At least eight LTTE militants were killed and an equal number of them injured in clashes with thetroops in the Karampaikkulam area of Kilinochchi district. Four soldiers were also reported injured inthe incident.

Four more militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Pallimunai andKomankulam areas of Vavuniya district. While one soldier was injured, the SFs recovered threehand grenades and one pouch from the incident site.

The troops neutralized an LTTE base with three bunkers, two huts, a partly destroyed constructionand a deep drain in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district killing at least three militants whileinjuring nine others.

The UN in Sri Lanka announced that its offices in the LTTE­held Kilinochchi have been looted.

The Sri Lanka Police have ordered the registration of all the Tamil civilians who moved to the capitalColombo and surrounding towns within the past five years from five northern districts in conflictareas.

September 22

President Mahinda Rajapakse expressed the hope that very soon all Sri Lankans living overseaswill be able to return to a country that had been completely rid of the scourge of terrorism.Addressing Sri Lankans at the New York Bauddha Viharaya while on his visit to attend the 63rd

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United Nations General Assembly Sessions, the President said, "Whether you are from Kilinochchi,Batticaloa or the South my aim is to treat you all as my children and build a country where you allcan live as free citizens."

Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said that the LTTE is a terrorist outfit which has a longhistory of looting from civilians and aid agencies and make use of the ill gotten resources tostrengthen its cadres and terror activities against security forces.

The number of people who have migrated from Sri Lanka’s five warn­torn districts to Colombo andits suburbs, which constitute the Western Province, since 2003 stands at 37,037, said the police.

At least 17 LTTE militants were killed and 13 others injured as clashes erupted between themilitants and the troops in the Akkarayankulam, Wannivilankulam, Pannaikandamdu andVannavikulam areas of Kilinochchi district. After the confrontation at Akkarayankulam, troopsneutralized an LTTE bunker. An LTTE mortar fire attack in the Wannivilankulam area injured onesoldier.

The SFs stormed the "Pasarai" base of the Sea Tiger in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya districtkilling seven cadres of the outfit while injuring 14 others. The SFs later captured the entire complexwhich had two separate huts which served as sentry points and had been surrounded by threetriangular­type tall bunkers with overhead protection layers made of concrete.

The SFs confronted the LTTE militants in the Navakkulam and north of Palamoddai areas in theVavuniya district and killed four militants while wounding at least seven others.

Sri Lanka has asked Norway, the official facilitator of the abandoned peace process, to assist in thegovernment's humanitarian efforts to bring relief to citizens in the north, instead of "through otherorganisations."

The suicide bombing in Pakistan shows that al Qaeda has learnt bomb making from the LTTE, saidForeign Employment Minister and military spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella.

September 23 Nine LTTE militants were killed and five others injured as clashes erupted between the militants andthe troops in the Navakkulam, Palamoddai and Wannivilankulam areas of Vavuniya district.

Four more militants were killed and an equal number of them injured during separate clashes withthe SFs in the Akkarayankulam, Vandarimodai and Teyankulam areas of Kilinochchi district. Whilethree soldiers were also killed, two other soldiers sustained injuries in these incidents.

Six militants were killed and 13 others injured in clashes in the Andankulam and Kamalmunai areasof Vavuniya district. Three soldiers were also injured in LTTE mortar fire and explosions of APMs.Troops also captured one LTTE trench line.

The government troops are capable of capturing alive Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of theLTTE, Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said.

The TMVP leader, Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan a.k.a. Colonel Karuna and its deputy, EasternProvince Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan a.k.a. Pillayan appealed to Tamilexpatriates in Canada and elsewhere to stop funding the LTTE war machine.

Abductions and extra­judicial killings and other security challenges must end in the EasternProvince of Sri Lanka to attract private sector investments to develop the region, the USAmbassador Robert Blake said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the KalawanchikudiVocational Training Center in the Batticaloa district.

September 24 The troops confronted with the LTTE cadres in the Akkarayankulam, Nachchakuda, Vannavikulamand Andankulam areas of Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts killing nine militants while injuring atleast 31 others. Eight soldiers also sustained injuries in these clashes.

The SFs foiled two simultaneous infiltration attempts of the LTTE militants in the Nagarkovil andKilaly FDLs areas of Jaffna district killing eight militants, including the LTTE’s Muhamalai Southleader, ‘Vardan’.

Seven more militants were killed during confrontations with the troops in the Navakkulam andPalamoddai areas of Vavuniya district.

The LTTE has refused to permit hundreds of local humanitarian workers to leave the Wanni by notissuing them ‘travel passes’.

Addressing the 63rd session of the United Nation General Assembly in New York the PresidentMahinda Rajapakse asserted that Government will only be ready to talk to the LTTE when it is

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ready to commit itself to decommissioning its illicit weapons and dismantling of its militarycapability, and return to the democratic fold.

September 25 13 LTTE militants were killed as the troops neutralized eight bunkers of the outfit atVannappulikulam, an area between Nachchakuda and Akkarayankulam, in the Kilinochchi districtafter four­hour long battle. Two soldiers were also killed while 14 others sustained injuries during theencounters.

Seven LTTE militants were killed in clashes with the security forces in the Akkarayankulam area ofKilinochchi district.

During another clash between the two sides in the Andankulam and Kamalmunai areas of Vavuniyadistrict the troops killed at least six militants while injuring 14 others.

Four more militants were killed as the SFs captured two LTTE trench lines in the Kokavil area ofKilinochchi district.

The SFs confronted with LTTE militants in the Vedamakilam, Koliyankulam and the north ofPalamoddai areas in the Vavuniya district killing four of them while injuring another.

The security forces have advanced to the outskirts of Kilinochchi, the Head Quarter of the LTTE,the Army Chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said. "Our forces are around four kilometers (2.5miles) from Kilinochchi town. In fact we can see some of the buildings," Fonseka said. Meanwhile,the Defence Ministry reported the LTTE have lost some 6,898 fighters since January. Also, theMilitary authorities said that 673 soldiers have also died during the same period.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said at the UN that Sri Lanka government troops are wary ofany "collateral" damage as they move closer to dismantling the Tamil Tigers' de facto state.

September 26 At least 18 militants were killed as the troops repulsed a LTTE attack on the SFs FDL in theManiarkulam area of Kilinochchi district. Eight soldiers were also injured in the fighting.

17 militants were killed and one more injured as clashes erupted between the two sides in theVannavikulam area of Kilinochchi district.

Eight more LTTE cadres were killed while more than 30 others sustained injuries during threeseparate incidents in the Vavuniya district. One soldier was also killed during these clashes. In thefirst incident, the SFs attacked an LTTE bunker line in the Andankulam area and captured onebunker and one trench line. Also, six more bunkers in the same area were destroyed by the troops.Similarly, the troops attacked a line of five bunkers in the Rumulamunai area.

The troops attacked an LTTE bunker line at Akkarayankulam in the Kilinochchi district anddestroyed one bunker killing seven militants while injuring three others. One soldier also sustainedinjury in an improvised explosive device explosion.

During two separate clashes between the two sides at Navathkulama and north of Palamoddai inthe Vavuniya district the troops killed six militants while the SFs also captured one LTTE bunkerand three trench lines north of Palamoddai area.

The SFs eliminated four militants during an encounter in the Kalayaparu area of Kilinochchi district.Two soldiers were also injured in LTTE fire and explosions of anti­personnel mines.

September 27 Eight militants were killed by SFs during clashes in the Palamoddai area of Vavuniya district. Foursoldiers sustained injuries during the clash.

Seven more LTTE cadres were killed during separate clashes with the troops in the Vannavikulamand north of Karamaddakulam areas of Kilinochchi district. Nine soldiers sustained injuries in LTTEmortar fire directed from their gun positions in the Vannavikulam area while seven other soldiersreceived injuries during separate confrontations and APM explosions in the same area.

Three soldiers and two militants were killed during a clash at Akkarayankulam. Two soldiers werealso wounded in explosions of IEDs and APMs.

September 28 The troops after fierce gun battle captured a section of the Akkarayankulam – Nachchakuda road inthe Kilinochchi district by September 28­afternoon killing at least 10 LTTE militants. Two soldierswere also killed while eight others sustained injuries in the fighting.

The troops moving towards the A­9 road captured a 4­km area along the Akkarayankulam–Murikkandy road in the Kilinochchi district killing seven militants. One soldier was also killed whilethree others sustained injuries.

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Six more militants were killed and 13 others injured as the troops neutralized three LTTE bunkers inthe Andankulam and Tannimurippukulam areas of Vavuniya district. One soldier also sustainedinjuries in the fighting.

The troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Navathkulama and north of Palamoddai areasof Vavuniya district killing four militants. Two soldiers were also injured in the encounter whileanother soldier was injured in the explosion of an anti­personnel mine.

An LTTE suicide cadre on a bicycle struck his bike against a three­wheeler and blew himself upkilling one civilian and injuring nine others in the Vavuniya town. One of the injured soldiers diedlater.

September 29 Six LTTE militants were killed during a clash with the SFs in the Mulankavil and Karampaikkulamareas of Vavuniya district.

At least 39 LTTE militants were killed and 52 others injured as clashes erupted between the twosides in the Palamoddai, Akkarayankulam, Andankulam, Vannavikulam and Kariyalanmodai areasof Kilinochchi and Vavuniya districts. Five soldiers were also killed while 19 others sustainedinjuries during these clashes. Troops also neutralised six bunkers.

At least eight militants aboard two Sea Tiger boats moving in the seas off Kalmunai point in thePooneryn area of Jaffna district were killed when the Special Boat Squadron of the Sri Lanka Navyspotted them and directed fire attack towards the boats.

September 30 At least 13 LTTE militants were killed and four others injured as clashes erupted between the SFsand the militants in the areas of north of Maniarkulam, Palamoddai, Podunkanpila, Wemankallu andPandiyankulam in the Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts. One soldier was also killed while threeothers sustained injuries in these clashes.

The troops eliminated seven militants and injured 10 others during confrontations in theWannarikulam area. Two soldiers were also killed while seven others, including an officer, received.

At Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops confronted the LTTE militants and killed six ofits cadres while injuring 31 others. While, seven soldiers were also injured in the incident, the troopsneutralised two bunkers.

The SFs killed three more militants during an encounter in the area west of Kokavil, closer tocaptured Murikkandy Railway Station, in the Kilinochchi district.

The SFs captured a 50­m wide LTTE airstrip in the Pannichchankulam area, about 7­km north­westof Mankulam and about 500­m to the west of A­9 road in the Mullaitivu district.

The troops seized one of the lorries hired by the Vavuniya District Secretary for transport ofessentials to Internally Displaced Persons at the Omanthai cross­loading point and recovered 2.5­kg of C­4 explosives in its driver’s possession.

October 1 At least 18 LTTE militants were killed and eight others injured as the troops captured three morebunkers of the outfit after the clashes in the Akkarayankulam, west and south of Iranamadu tank,Vannavikulam and Maniarkulam areas in the Kilinochchi district. Eight soldiers also sustainedinjuries in explosions of anti­personnel mines and IEDs.

14 more militants were killed and 28 others wounded as clashes erupted between the SFs and themilitants in the Andankulam, Palamoddai, Nauve east, Thandiyankulam and Podunkanpila areas ofVavuniya district. While one soldier was also killed, four others sustained injuries during theseclashes. The troops also neutralized seven bunkers in the Palamoddai north and Pandiyankulamareas.

The troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district and killed fourcadres destroying two bunkers. Five more militants and two soldiers suffered injuries in the fighting.

October 2 The troops killed at least 18 militants while injuring 14 others as clashes erupted between the twosides in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. One soldier was also injured in an anti­personnelmine explosion.

Six more LTTE cadres were killed and more than 20 others injured during clashes with the SFs inthe Paraikandamadu, Madam and Vannavikulam areas of Kilinochchi district. Four soldiers werekilled and three others sustained injuries during the fighting.

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During another clash between the two sides in the areas south of Mankulam and south of Kokavil inthe Mullaitivu district, the SFs killed eight militants while wounding 11 others.

Eight more LTTE militants were killed and five others wounded during separate clashes with thetroops in the Pannichchankulam, Navakkulam, Panikkaniravikulam, Villattikulam and Nallikulamareas of Vavuniya district. Four bunkers of the militants were also neutralized in these incidents.

The troops in an encounter killed seven more militants while wounding an unspecified number ofthem at Akkarayankulam in the Kilinochchi district. Three soldiers were also injured in the LTTE gunfire.

Two more militants were killed during another exchange of fire between the two sides in the areassouth of Iranamadu in the Mullaitivu district. Two soldiers were also killed while another receivedinjuries in the incident. Separate clashes in the same area injured one militant and three soldiers.

The United Nations officials in Sri Lanka deplored the placing of explosives by an unknown group ona Government truck that was due to join a UN food convoy delivering food and other essential itemsto the displaced in the North.

The SLA has reportedly recruited 10,136 Sri Lankans to various ranks to fight against the LTTE.

As its September 21 directive to the citizens of five districts of Northern Province living in andaround Colombo (Western Province) to "re­register" themselves with the police, Sri LankaGovernment announced that a similar census would be carried out on October 5 for such citizens ofEastern Province.

October 3 Eight more militants were killed and 10 others injured when the SFs captured three more camps inthe in the Panniwedikulam area of Kilinochchi district. Three soldiers were also killed and 12 othersreceived injuries in these incidents.

The troops confronted with the LTTE militants in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district andeliminated four militants while injuring at least 19 others. While nine soldiers were also injured inLTTE fire and anti­personnel mines explosions, the troops captured three bunkers of the outfit.

Three LTTE militants were killed after a confrontation with a combined Army­Air Force foot patrol inthe eastern village of Kattikulam in the Trincomalee district.

October 4 At least 20 LTTE militants and four soldiers were killed while 27 militants and six soldiers woundedas the troops captured a section of the bunker line constructed along the Nachchakuda ­Akkarayankulam road at Panniwedikulam in the West of Vannerikuma area in the Kilinochchidistrict. The SLAF MI­24 gunship helicopters also assisted the troops capturing 10 bunkers,constructed on the massive earth bund, and advanced further northward, military sources added.The 58 Division now operating in the Kilinochchi district has captured a four kilometer stretch of amassive ditch cum earth bund constructed by the LTTE from Nachchakuda to Akkarayankulamtank area. Troops have also advanced nearly two kilometers from this earth bund and in control ofthe Nachchakuda ­ Akkarayankulam road depriving the LTTE of a vital supply route toNachchakuda.

The Sri Lankan army chief said that his forces are on the verge of capturing the key LTTEstronghold of Kilinochchi. "We are two kms away from the Kilinochchi town limits," the army chiefsaid, adding, government proposed to declare Vishvamadu and Oddusudan in Kilinochchi a no warzone after the army consolidated its position there.

October 5 The SFs killed eight LTTE militants and inured at least nine others during clashes in the Iranamaduand southwest of Iranamadu areas in the Kilinochchi district. Two soldiers were also killed while fiveothers received injuries in these incidents.

During two separate clashes in the Vannerikuma and Pannaikandamdu areas of Kilinochchi district,the SFs eliminated four militants. Three soldiers were also killed in the explosions of APM duringthe fighting.

The troops neutralized two LTTE bunkers in the area west of Mankulam in the Kilinochchi districtkilling four militants. Four more militants and a soldier were also injured in the incident.

The troops neutralized another LTTE bunker in the Akkarayankulam area of Kilinochchi district andkilled three militants.

Three more militants were killed and at least 19 others injured in clashes with the SFs atAndankulam in the Vavuniya district.

The Government has reportedly created a special police task force to protect the Colombo and its

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suburbs from possible terrorist attacks as the LTTE is facing losses to the military in the North.

Army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka urged LTTE cadre and its leaders, barring VelupillaiPrabhakaran and Pottu Amman, to surrender and hinted at the possibility of the LTTE chief fleeingthe country. The LTTE is left with only 4,000 cadres, he said, adding he was not sure how long theycan maintain its fighting capabilities.

Sri Lanka Police said that the majority of people who registered with police in Colombo after fleeingthe eastern province were Tamil nationals.

October 6 28 persons, including UNP NCPC Member, Maj. General Janaka Perera and his wife; UNPAnuradhapura district Manager Dr. John Pulle who was also the former Chairman of the RajarataBus Company and his wife Dr. Mrs. John Pulle; UNP Legal Advisor Attorney­at­law A.C.S. Hameed;NCPC UNP Member Shantha Dissanayake and UNP Provincial Council candidate Subashi Charleswere killed in a LTTE carried out suicide bomb attack inside the UNP office near the Old Bus Standin Anuradhapura. More than 86 persons sustained injuries in the blast that occurred around 8:45am(SLST) during a function held to declare open the new UNP office, military sources said. Accordingto eyewitnesses a suicide cadre a dark and short man had reached the function and unbuttoned hisshirt facing Major General Perera and the crowd instantaneously killing himself and the victims.According to investigators only the legs of the suicide cadre’s has been left after the blast. "He hadused a relatively large quantity of explosives for this blast as his head was also blown off withoutleaving a trace about his appearance."

The leader of the TMVP, Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman was swornin as a MP by the Speaker with Marxist party MPs boycotting the house in protest of hisappointment. Karuna was appointed to the seat left vacant by the JVP MP WasanthaSamarasinghe who resigned to contest the NCPC elections. Karuna is representing the ruing UPFA.

At least nine militants were killed and 27 others injured as the SFs neutralized four bunkers duringtheir confrontations with the LTTE militants in the Adampankula, Madam, Kidippidikulam,Terankandal, Alankulam, Odrattakulam, Andankulam and Gajabapura areas Vavuniya andKilinochchi districts. One soldier was also killed during confrontations. Six more soldiers receivedinjuries in explosions of anti­personnel mines and confrontations in the Terankandal and Waddakattuareas.

The SFs destroyed three LTTE bunkers in the Akkarayankulam area of Kilinochchi district killingnine militants while injuring five others.

The troops who captured the first bunker line on Nachchakuda – Akkarayankulam road in theKilinochchi district during the weekend marched, about 1­km further eastward and dominated athree­way intersection.

The Inter Agency Standing Committee, a consortium of UN and NGOs in Sri Lanka, in its report onthe situation on the north said "nearly all of Kilinochchi’s residents are reported to have vacated toMullaitivu district due to shelling and air attacks in the heart of the district."

India's National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan had summoned Sri Lanka's Deputy HighCommissioner in India to convey New Delhi's "grave concern and unhappiness at the growingcasualties of unarmed Tamil civilians as a result of the military action".

October 7 Eight LTTE militants were killed during clashes with the security forces in the Vilakkavettikulam andNallikulam areas of Vavuniya district.

The dead bodies of four civilians, suspected to have been chopped to death by the LTTE militants,were recovered from the deep jungle areas off Dekethipothana at Horowpathana in theAnuradhapura district. Those four civilians, according to a Police complaint, have entered jungleareas on 27th September but failed to return home.

The SFs shot dead four militants in the Murikkandy and west of Akkarayankulam areas in theKilinochchi district. A soldier was also injured during these confrontations.

The Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake said in Parliament that some 200 soldiers were killedand 997 others were injured during the month of September in clashes with the LTTE. 13 civiliansalso have been killed and 25 more were injured in the conflicts during September, he added.

The TMVP leader Karuna in his maiden speech in Parliament said he warmly welcomes theresponsibility entrusted upon him by President Mahinda Rajapakse on behalf of the Tamil people.He also noted that Tamils never endorsed the war.

October 8 At least 16 LTTE militants were killed and 26 others injured as the troops captured a line of LTTE

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bunkers in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Eight soldiers were also killed while 45 otherssustained injuries during these clashes.

At least 21 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured during clasheswith the SFs at Wanniyarkulam in the area north of Panniwedikulam in the Kilinochchi district.

Eight more LTTE cadres were killed and four others injured as the SFs captured two more bunkersin the Akkarayankulam area, south of Iranamadu, in the Kilinochchi district.

October 9 At least 22 LTTE militants were killed as the troops neutralised five outfit’s bunkers in theAkkarayankulam and Vannavikulam areas of Kilinochchi district. One soldier was also killed duringthe clash at Vannavikulam while three others received injuries in these incidents.

During separate clashes between the two sides in the Pannichchankulam, Vedamakilam andNallikulam areas of Vavuniya district, the troops killed seven militants.

At Andankulam in Vavuniya district, the troops killed three militants while injuring six others. Twosoldiers were also killed while eight soldiers received injuries.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district and killed threemilitants while injuring five others.

Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Development Minister Maithripala Sirisena escapedan LTTE carried out suicide attack at Pirivena junction in the Boralesgamuwa area of Colombodistrict. A female suicide cadre blew herself targeting Minister Sirisena’s motorcade at Pirivenajunction around 1.15 pm (SLST) when the Minister was returning after a Government function in theBandaragama area. A civilian was killed and five others were injured.

President Mahinda Rajapakse told Al Jazeera television in an interview that this would be the end ofthe LTTE terrorists’ battle for a separate State, adding that the terrorists should surrender to themilitary.

The LTTE has alleged that the Sri Lanka Air Force had destroyed a large number of civilian homesin Wanni on the pretext of attacking the outfit’s military bases over the last one year.

October 10 The troops eliminated four more militants while injuring six others during clashes at Vannavikulam inthe Kilinochchi district. Three soldiers were killed and four others injured in the confrontation.

The Panniwedikulam tank area also fell under the control of the 58 Division.

Army Chief Sarath Fonseka said the security forces faced several constraints as a result of pastcease­fire agreement or cessation of hostilities in the three­decade long battle with the LTTE.

October 10­11 At least 40 LTTE militants were killed as the troops operating north east of Nachchakuda in thewest of Kilinochchi district made steady progress within the last two days reaching the outskirts ofJayapuram in the north of Nachchakuda foiling LTTE efforts to bring in reinforcements to the fronton several occasions. Jayapuram is located some seven kilometers north of Nachchakuda wherethe LTTE is having one of their main Sea Tiger bases in the North Western coast.

October 11 14 militants were killed and 10 others injured by the troops in the Maniarkulam area of Kilinochchidistrict. Two soldiers were also killed and six others wounded in the incident.

Six LTTE militants were killed and 37 others injured as the troops captured four more well fortifiedbunkers of the outfit in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. Two soldiers were also killed whilefour others sustained injuries in these incidents.

Five more LTTE cadres were killed during a clash with the SFs at an unspecified place in theKilinochchi district.

Three militants were killed by the troops at Akkarayankulam in the Kilinochchi district.

At Kokuvil in the Jaffna district, three militants were killed in confrontations with the SFs.

The troops eliminated three more LTTE cadres at Pillawarayankadu in the Kilinochchi district.

The MI­24 helicopter gun ships of the SLAF neutralised LTTE bunker construction positions aheadof the Akkarayankulam Tank bund in the Kilinochchi district. Intercepted LTTE communication laterconfirmed that three militants were killed and six others injured in the air strike.

The SFs foiled an LTTE attempt to enter into the cleared areas (area under Government control) atMuhamalai in the Jaffna district killing three militants. Three soldiers were also injured in theincident.

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October 12 At least 19 LTTE militants were killed and 12 others injured as the SFs neutralized eight bunkersand a camp in the areas west of Akkarayankulam and Vannavikulam in the Kilinochchi district. Onesoldier was also killed while 14 others sustained injuries in LTTE­triggered APM explosions andsimultaneous firing of small arms.

During separate clashes in the Periyakulam, Andankulam and Tannimurippukulam areas ofVavuniya district, the SFs killed nine militants while injuring three more others. One soldier was alsoinjured in explosion of an APM at Tannimurippukulam.

Troops attacked LTTE bunkers in the Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas of Jaffna district and killedat least six militants. Six militants also sustained injuries, while a soldier was wounded in an APMexplosion.

The LTTE is in "a precarious condition" but no one can predict when they can be overcomemilitarily, says Karuna.

Karuna told Sunday Observer that they have decided to rename the TMVP mainly to get the help ofthe people of the South.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has said the current phase of war would mark the end of the LTTE’sbattle for a separate State and counseled the outfit’s cadre to surrender.

Charging that 'some foreign elements' were trying to disrupt the ongoing development activities inSri Lanka, a senior advisor to President Mahinda Rajapakse has said that the island nation has "gotmaximum support from India to crush" the LTTE, a media report said.

October 13 Australia is considering formally declaring the LTTE a terrorist group, said Australian ForeignMinister Stephen Smith.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama also said the war on the LTTE will not be slowed byinternational financial turmoil placing pressure on the Government’s military budget.

In the wake of the US announcement on October 11 that it has decided to remove North Korea fromthe list of "state sponsors of terrorism" a Counter Terrorism Foundation (CTF) in US has revealedthere was ample evidence to prove North Korea had armed the LTTE. The CTF further revealed thata Congressional Research Service Brief submitted to the US Congress in January 2008 haddetailed possible links between North Korea and the LTTE.

16 LTTE militants were killed and three others injured as clashes erupted between the militants andthe SFs in the Mankulam, Nallikulam, Akkarayankulam, Vannavikulam and Paraikandamadu areasof Kilinochchi district. While two soldiers were also killed and seven others sustained injuries inLTTE small arms and mortar fire and APM explosions, the troops also neutralised two camps in theParaikandamadu area.

The troops eliminated two militants and injured 14 others during clashes at Andankulam andTannimurippukulam in the Vavuniya district. One soldier also sustained injuries in theseconfrontations while another was injured in an APM explosion.

Troops reportedly detected a bag with 1.5­kg of C­4 explosives, 3­m length detonator code and fourelectric detonators, said to have been delivered to someone working in the UN InternationalOrganization for Migrants sponsored construction project for temporary shelters at Kurumankadu inthe Virawapuliyankulam area of Vavuniya district.

The Sri Lankan Government is reportedly shouldering an increased defence budget to continue thefight against terrorism. According to sources, the government has spent 6,840 rupees per minute inthe fight against the war during the last few months and expects an increase of 11,160 rupees toreach 18,000 rupees from next week. Increased expenses were allocated by the Parliament recentlyas the government troops have stationed at outskirts of the Kilinochchi town following the capture ofseveral nearby rebel controlled areas.

October 14 At least 37 LTTE militants were killed and 36 others injured as clashes erupted between the SFsand the militants in the Akkarayankulam north, west and east, Wannarikulam, Madamodei andPannaikandamdu areas of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts. Seven soldiers were also killed inthese confrontations while 26 others sustained injuries, including two in explosions of APM andimprovised explosive devices.

The troops observed the movement of an LTTE tractor with several militants aboard in theMankulam area of Vavuniya district and opened fire on the tractor killing four of the militants.

Two more militants were killed and six others injured during clashes with the SFs in the Nayaru,

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Alampil south, Tannimurippukulam, Kiriibbanwewa and Andankulam areas of Vavuniya district. Onesoldier was also killed while another wounded during these confrontations.

October 15 United Kingdom expressed its concern over the ongoing military efforts taken by Sri Lanka in thewar against terrorism.

Minister of Resettlement and Disaster Relief Services Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen said theGovernment is fully committed to provide all the basic needs for the Internally Displaced People innon liberated areas and for the civilians arriving in Vavuniya using the safe corridor established bythe Government and it has a fully functioning mechanism to do so.

October 16 Troops after few days of gun battle captured Maniarkulam intersection, about 13.5­km northeast ofNachchakuda, in the Kilinochchi district. Though ground troops confirmed that a number of LTTEmilitants were killed and many others injured, troops have so far recovered the dead bodies of sixLTTE militants, including three decomposed ones.

The SFs clashed with the LTTE militants in the Muhamalai area of Jaffna district killing anunspecified number of militants, including two leaders identified as Kanyan and Isaiman. Thoughexact details of LTTE casualties are yet to be ascertained, the outfit’s communication interceptedrevealed more than 40 militants were wounded. Three soldiers were also killed while nine otherssustained injuries in LTTE fire.

Police recovered four dead bodies of the farmers in the Kanchkudichchiaru area of Ampara district.According to the sources the farmers were shot dead by unidentified assailants.

50 World Food Programme Lorries carrying essential food items, medicine and other dry rations forWanni civilians were forced to return to Vavuniya due to LTTE artillery fire and claymore mineattacks.

The SFs recovered two claymore mines of 7.5­kg each, 551 rounds of T­56 ammunition, 18 handgrenades, one 5­m long detonator code, seven field dressings, packets of dry ration, fifteen 81­mmmortar bombs, one 120­mm mortar bomb, two LTTE uniforms, medical equipments, four packs, twodetonators and one Icom radio set from the Madhu, Karanvilathivu and Palampiddi areas of Mannardistrict.

October 17 Troops clashed with groups of LTTE militants in the Nedunkandal, areas around Akkarayankulam,Pillawarayankadu and Vannerikuma areas of Kilinochchi district. Troops later recovered dead bodiesof two militants. One soldier was killed in LTTE mortar fire in the Vannerikuma area while four otherswounded in confrontations and explosions of APM in other areas.

Two factions of the TMVP clashed over the party's printing press as the party leader in theBatticaloa town. According to the police, Karuna faction of the TMVP raided the printing office runby the Pillayan faction and took the control of the office called "Thenagama" and detained 13members of the Pillayan group. However, no one was reported injured in the incident.

October 18 Troops attached to the 57 Division and Task Force I captured over 1.5­km stretch of earth bund inthe areas West and East of Akkarayankulam in the Kilinochchi district killing at least 75 LTTEmilitants while injuring more than 125 cadres, Military sources said. An unspecified number ofsoldiers were also killed and injured. 14 fortified bunkers built along the bund were also captured bythe troops.

October 19 Task Force I moving towards Nachchakuda by October 19­afternoon captured the earth bund fromwest of Panniwedikulam to Akkarayan west, capturing one kilometers stretch of earth bund in theeast of Vannerikkulam, bringing the 10­km stretch of earth bund between the west ofPanniwedikulam and towards the east of Vannerikkulam under its complete control. The Task ForceI troops continued their march towards the north of the earth bund capturing Adampamodai villagewhich is located 10­km north east of Nachchakuda.

Defence Ministry sources said the LTTE used poisonous gas on Government troops. According tomilitary sources, advancing forces at Akkarayankulam tank south of Kilinochchi were attacked bythe LTTE with chemical gas believed to be CS.

October 20 The Sri Lankan military claimed to have established complete domination over the westernKilinochchi battlefront. The Military said 33 soldiers were killed, 48 injured and three others wentmissing in the pitched battles with the LTTE, which is resisting the Army’s thrust. The military alsosaid that in the mop­up operations, dead bodies of 11 militants were recovered along with largequantities of ammunition.

Sri Lankan Government has said that the de­mining process of the Eastern Province is almostfinished.

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Three youths were killed when an unidentified assailant stormed their boarding place at Arasadithivuin the Kokkadicholai area of Batticaloa district. The victims, Sanjeewa Pushpakumara ofMatugama, Pethum Priyadarshana and Duminda Roshan, both from Pannala, were working for aroad construction site in the area when they fell prey to the bullets.

Troops further expanded its territory with another 1­km long stretch in the Vannerikkulam area ofKilinochchi district. Troops now in full control of the area are engaged in removing booby traps andother explosive devices.

October 21 Troops captured Anaivilunthan village, about 1.5­km north of Vannerikkulam in the Kilinochchidistrict. The exact details are awaited.

The Sri Lankan military claimed that troops had defeated LTTE battle formations amid heavyresistance in areas at Vannerikkulam and Akkarayankulam Tank in Kilinochchi.

The international community is firmly behind Sri Lanka in the battle against terrorism, PresidentMahinda Rajapakse said. Referring to India, President Rajapakse said the two countries enjoyed anunprecedented level of friendship, understanding and cooperation. India is helping Sri Lanka inmany ways. The President asserted that there was no request from the Indian government to haltthe military campaign against the LTTE. He pointed out that the Government has given anassurance to look after the civilians in the Wanni and provide them food and other essentials.

The Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama stressed that the government would notwithdraw its decision on terrorism due to any kind of pressure by the international community.

Sri Lankan government has organized a photographic exhibition in European cities to showcase theatrocities committed by the LTTE.

October 22­23 LTTE suicide boats targeted two merchant ships carrying essential items to the civilians in theNorthern Province of Sri Lanka. According to the military sources, merchant ships Ruhuna andNimalawa, were attacked off the Kankasanthurai harbour in Jaffna by three suicide boats. The Navysailors providing security onboard the targeted vessels fired at the approaching suicide boatseffectively, destroying two of them. One suicide boat, however, exploded in close proximity to themerchant ship Nimalawa considerably damaging its hull. The pro­ LTTE website Sankathi onOctober 23 reported that two top Sea Tigers (cadres of the Sea Wing of the LTTE), identified as"Lieutenant Colonels" Elakkiya and Kuberan, were killed in the abortive suicide attempt on themerchant ship, Nimalawa, on October 22.

October 23 Troops captured Gajabapura area in the Vavuniya district inflicting heavy casualties to the LTTE.The details are awaited.

The TMVP leadership has reportedly distanced itself from the stand taken by its leader, Karuna,over the devolution of powers and has demanded for police powers. Earlier, in a meeting with theheads and editors of media at the presidential secretariat, Karuna had said that Police powersshould not be devolved in to provincial councils, a provision under the 13 amendment to theconstitution. "We do not need police powers at the moment because of the current securitysituation," he had said at the meeting chaired by President Mahinda Rajapakse.

October 24 The Sri Lankan defence ministry says it is suspending the release of casualty figures during thecurrent fighting in the north of the country.

October 26 The SFs confronted the LTTE militants in the Akkarayankulam, Kokavil and Nachchakuda areas ofKilinochchi district and destroyed several bunkers inflicting heavy casualties to the outfit.

The SFs confronted the militants on several occasions in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya districtand caused heavy damages to the outfit. The troops also captured three bunkers and threetrenches and recovered 30 APMsand five IEDs from the area.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said the Government's efforts are to eliminate terrorism from the soilsof Sri Lanka but not to fight against another community.

A special census was taken in Puttalam to register the civilians who are living in the district afterfleeing the Northern and Eastern provinces of Sri Lanka.

October 27 Troops recovered dead bodies of two LTTE cadres from the Kunchankulam area in Kilinochchidistrict. Three T­56 weapons were also recovered from the incident site.

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Troops recovered 130 anti personnel mines and four booby traps during a search operation atAndankulam area in Vavuniya.

October 28 At least four TMVP members were killed when its political office was attacked by the suspectedLTTE cadres at Chenkaladi in the Batticaloa district.

An LTTE aircraft dropped two bombs targeting the Kelanitissa power station in Colombo. However,no casualties were reported. According to military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara theblast caused a minor fire at the power station which was doused by the fire­fighters. Later, the airdefence system in Colombo and suburbs was activated and the electricity supply to the city wassuspended as a precautionary measure.

Prior to this incident, an LTTE light aircraft dropped three bombs on the Mannar Army headquartersin Thalladi. Brigadier Nanayakkara said no damage was caused to the camp or any other militarylogistics facility in the area due to this attack.

The troops attached to the 58th Division in the north of Nachchakuda captured two strategicallyimportant junctions on the 12th and 16th mile posts on the Mannar­Pooneryn A­32 road, cutting offthe LTTE links with the now isolated Nachchakuda with the Sea Tiger base in Valaipadu.

The United Nations Colombo office in a press release said that it has discovered two micro pistolsand 48 rounds of ammunition hidden on the premises at Mannar International Organization ofMigrants (IMO) office.

The pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net in an item posted on its website said, "Close to 55,000 schoolchildren from 190 schools have been displaced in Wanni since 2006. Most of the displaced schoolshave combined with the schools that have not displaced and are functioning."

October 29 Sri Lanka Army reported that one civilian injured in Kelanitissa power plant bombing on October diedof his injuries.

Three soldiers were injured in the attack in Mannar bombing.

The troops captured Nachchakuda, Jayapuram and Akkarayankulam tank bund in Kilinochchidistrict.

Troops of the Task Force 1 on October 29­morning gained full control of Jayapuram, the last mainvillage, with an area of about four square km, on the A­32 road to the extreme west of theKilinochchi town.

On the same evening, troops completed the capture of the entire Akkarayankulam tank bund, to thenorth of Akkarayankulam under Thunukkai division. The two km­long bund stretches across thenorthern side of Akkarayankulam tank with an area of about 4.5 square km in total.

Late in the evening, Nachchakuda’s complete length of the well­fortified LTTE FDL, about eight kmnorth of Vellankulam was brought under the troops control. Nachchakuda area lies about 1.5 km tothe west of A­32 strategic Mannar­Pooneryn highway which runs parallel to the north­western seacoast. The fishing bastion, Nachchakuda, a town with a large concentration of people and businessventures has remained a strategic point for the LTTE for several months. It is believed that theoutfit has suffered heavy casualties following the encounters throughout the day.

October 30 The troops completely captured Nachchakuda, the last stronghold of the LTTE on the Westerncoast before Pooneryn by October 30­evening.

A Singaporean arms dealer who was charged for conspiracy to provide material support to the LTTEhas been sentenced to 37 months in prison by a US federal judge.

November 1 Troops when tried to question two suspicious young men at Ariyalai in the Jaffna district, one ofthem suddenly swallowed a cyanide capsule while the other managed to flee opening fire towardsthe troops. Troops later chased and killed him. While the cyanide victim, identified as SellthuraiPurusothaman of Kaithady North Kaithady, now confirmed to be an LTTE militant, has had astudent identity card (Reg. No. 2003 A / 85) of the University of Jaffna (Art Faculty) in hispossession, though its authenticity still remains to be checked, the other militant, SivagnanalingamVarnaathithan of Aliyavalai in Thalladi had a 9­mm micro pistol with ammunition. Troops found astudent identity card issued by Faculty of Medial University of Jaffna in his possession too.

November 1­2 The SLN foiled an attack by a flotilla of Sea boats in the seas between Nagarkovil and Point Pedroin the Jaffna district destroying at least four boats and killing more than 14 militants aboard theboast on November 1­ morning. Later on November 2, reports confirmed that 16 militants werekilled.

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On November 1, troops breached a stretch of 2­km LTTE defence line at Paddaruyal Villu, about 3­km east of A­32 road, in the Kilinochchi district destroying their bunkers along the. Although troopsclaimed to have killed a large number of militants they could recover a total of 17 dead bodies of themilitants including 10 females have been recovered according to the formation available onNovember 2. Intelligence reports confirmed that all female cadres killed in confrontations belongedto LTTE’s Malathi group.

November 2 At least 93 people were arrested for suspicious terrorist connections in the village of Kalpitiya,about 165­km from the capital Colombo, in the Puttalam district. All arrested were people who hadarrived in Kalpitiya from Northern and Eastern provinces and living in temporary locations in thevillage, police added. They were arrested during a house to house search for suspicious terroristconnections.

The Government will declare a cease­fire only if the LTTE lay down weapons and surrender,President Mahinda Rajapakse told India Today in an interview.

A Defence Ministry statement said, "Fighting was reported between troops and LTTE atKovilkoduttavil, Podimuruppukulama and Urutirapurankulama. This phase of the military surge hasforced the LTTE to retreat with heavy casualties. The LTTE is on the verge of losing its ‘supply line’along the western coast."

Responding to the request made to the international community, Russia and Czech Republic havecome forward to help the government of Sri Lanka to destroy the small aircraft of the LTTE air wing.

November 2­3 Four Tamil youths were shot dead and another seriously injured by motor bike riding LTTE militantsat Kurunchchiady, a coastal locality in the Kalmunai area of Ampara district on November 2. Whiletwo died on the spot the other two succumbed to injuries later. The death toll in the shootingincident increased to five as one youth who was severely injured in the shooting succumbed to hisinjuries on November 3­morning at the Kalmunai hospital. Four of the victims were identified asJayasekar Nisanthan, Kadiravadively Rajakurendran, Somasundaram Kartik, and Muttupillai SriSudaharan.

November 3 The LTTE paid SLR 25,000 to the parents who reportedly permitted one of their children to join theorganization, a female suspect revealed to the police. The suspect, from the north and currentlyunder detention by the Terrorist Investigation Division had told the police that her parents handedher to the LTTE for money. Inquiries revealed that she had undergone one year’s training inKilinochchi as a suicide cadre and come down to Colombo to carry out a mission on a VIP.

A fugitive Sri Lankan has been given the maximum sentence of 45 months for his role in the theft of80 assault rifles from a Swiss Army depot two years ago.

The Chairman of the APRC of Sri Lanka Prof. Tissa Vitharana told Lanka­e­News that the final setof proposals for power devolution to solve the ethnic problem would be presented to the PresidentMahinda Rajapakse next week.

President Rajapakse has reportedly invited the LTTE proxy party, TNA for a meeting this week todiscuss the way forward on the political solution the Government intends to propose.

The President said that a general election would come before the next presidential election.

Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka declared that over 80 per cent of the war against theLTTE has been completed after regaining 80 per cent of the areas under them and killing over12,000 of their cadres. The Army Commander also said that he is confident that he can completethe task of defeating the LTTE during his tenure as he promised earlier.

November 4 The SFs clashed with the LTTE militants in the Akkarayankulam, Kovilkadu, Vannerikkulam,Viththar and Pallikkulam areas of Kilinochchi district inflicting an unspecified number of casualtiesto the outfit. At least three dead bodies of the militants along with six T­56 weapons and three I­comradio sets were later recovered from the Pallikkulam and Kovilkadu areas.

With the capture of strategically important Nachchakuda in the Kilinochchi district, the Sri LankaArmy has sealed off over 90 percent of the 80­km long north­western coast of the island, theDefence Ministry said. It said that the army now has continuous domination over 70­km stretch ofthe strategically vital Mannar­ Pooneryn (A­32) road, which is one of main strategically importantroad linking northern peninsula to the rest of the country.

Government informed that a total of 171 security force personnel had been killed in operations and1,122 injured during the past month in the country. At the State of Emergency debate seniorGovernment Minister W.D.J. Senaviratne told Parliament that 38 civilians had died and 62 wereinjured. The Parliament extended the State of Emergency for another month.

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The Government confirmed there would be no ban imposed on the LTTE as Sri Lanka was not atwar despite several other countries proscribing the outfit and their proxies. Constitutional AffairsMinister Dew Gunasekara said that a LTTE ban was not discussed or considered as the countrywas not officially at war.

The APRC chairman, Science and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitarana said that the finaldocument of the APRC power devolution proposals will be ready when the present militarycampaign concludes shortly. Both the President Mahinda Rajapakse and the APRC cleared thereports in Sri Lanka that the Government was getting ready to go with a political solution parallel tothe ongoing military campaign.

November 5 Troops overrun the Akkarayankulam built­up area in the Kilinochchi district. During subsequentsearch operations, troops recovered the dead bodies of two LTTE militants along with two T­56assault riffles and an I­com set.

Mangala Samaraweera, the leader of the SLFP­PW has set up a 'Defense Watch' to report thecasualties of offensive in the North. Addressing the inaugural press briefing, Samaraweera chargedthat the government downplays the military casualty figures and have created intelligence units atthe village level. He claimed that about 2,200 soldiers have sacrificed their lives during this yearand during the last three months about 600 soldiers were reportedly killed while 30,000 personneldeserted the Army this year.

The TMVP will be disarmed within months and integrated into the security forces, saidVinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ Karuna Amman. He informed that the rehabilitationof former cadres under his command had already begun.

November 6 The SFs handed over the dead bodies of six militants, including two females, to officials of theInternational Committee of the Red Cross at Omanthai Entry/Exit point in the Vavuniya district.These militants were reportedly killed in the recent clashes at Akkarayankulam and Mankulam inthe Kilinochchi district.

Police Intelligence warned the public that LTTE suicide bombers in the guise of pregnant women,beggars, women carrying children, old men and women etc. have been deployed to carry explosionsin the Colombo city.

November 7 Soldiers attached to 59 Division killed at least four LTTE cadres and wounded nine others inAndankulam. A soldier was killed and seven others sustained injuries in the operation.

Two Civil Defence Force (CDF) officers and a police constable were killed and another CDF officerinjured when the LTTE cadres opened fire on them at Kohilaela in Tampitiya. They were attackedwhile providing security to farmers working in their paddy fields.

Troops attacked LTTE positions in Mullarkudduvil using mortar fire killing at least three of its cadresand injuring two more. One soldier also sustained injuries during the attack.

November 8 Two soldiers and a LTTE cadre were killed in a series of clashes in the general areas of Kilaly,Nagarkovil and Muhamalai areas of Jaffna district. Five LTTE cadres and a soldier were alsowounded. During the clashes, troops destroyed at least three LTTE bunkers in Kilaly and the earthbund built by the outfit in Muhamalai.

November 9 The LTTE said that it is ready for a cease­fire with the Sri Lankan Government.

November 10 Troops attached to the 58 Division took control of Kiranchi, one of the Sea Tiger bases on the NorthWestern coast. Kiranchi, located northwest of Nachchakuda, which fell to the hands of the SFs twoweeks back, was captured by the 58 Division troops as they completely cut off the land area fromnorth of Nachchakuda to south of Chempankundu on the A­32 road up to the seventh Mile post.

SFs in Vavuniya handed over seven more dead bodies of the LTTE militants, including fivefemales, to the ICRC officials across the Omanthe Entry/Exit point.

The Government will not enter into a CFA or talks with the LTTE at this juncture unless it wasprepared to lay down arms, Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services Minister MaithripalaSirisena told Parliament. The Minister said the Government will not accept LTTE political leader B.Nadesan’s claims for a CFA because it had enough experiences on the LTTE’s double standard vis­à­vis CFAs.

November 11 Troops of the 58 Division moved further towards Pooneryn after capturing theValayakudiyurippumoddai defence line in the Kilinochchi district held by the LTTE for the past fewdays, killing over 30 militants and capturing five dead bodies of the militants. This came hours afterthe SFs captured the Palavi fishing village in the west of Mannar­Pooneryn A­32 road, militarysources said.

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Troops of the 59 Division captured a part of Kumulamunai town in the Mullaitivu district. A sectionof the Kumulamunai­Tannimurippukulam main road was also captured by the troops on the sameday. Troops of the 57 Division recovered dead bodies of four female LTTE militants along with fourT­56 weapons and one I­com following clashes in the Perimurikandai area of Mullaitivu district.

The troops entered the strategically important Kumulamunai village, located 12­km south ofMullaitivu, after capturing 21 LTTE bunkers located between Tannimurippukulam and Kumulamunai.According to military officials, Kumulamunai is the first build up area after passing the Andankulamforest reserve in the south of Mullaitivu.

Six more dead bodies of the LTTE militants killed in clashes with the Army in Akkarayankulam areaof Kilinochchi district were delivered to the officials of the International Committee of the Red Crossat the Vavuniya hospital.

SFs captured four trench lines of the LTTE at Valayakudiyurippumoddai in the Kilinochchi districtand subsequently recovered the dead bodies of five militants along with eight T­56 weapons,according to Sri Lanka Army.

Sri Lanka Ministry of Nation Building and Estate Infrastructure announced that 156,203 land mineshave been defused since 2002.

November 12 The Omanthai entry/exit point in the Vavuniya district was kept closed by the military in theabsence of ICRC officials at the site. Sarasi Wijeratna, Media coordinator for the ICRC in Sri Lanka,said that due to some unreasonable incident that occurred on November 11, ICRC members havedecided to withdraw from the Omanthai entry/exit point.

Sri Lankans in the UK are going to launch a hunger strike urging British authorities to stop eventsorganized by the LTTE front organizations that are scheduled to take place in London.

The UNHCR said more than 150000 IDPs have returned to their former villages in the EasternProvince over the past year.

A Buddhist monk, Ven. Sivuralamulle Dhammasiri Thero, in the internationally famous KudumbigalaTemple in the Ampara district was abducted by unidentified persons.

November 13 Troops captured the entire triangular Devil’s Point to the west of A­32 Mannar–Pooneryn road in theKilinochchi district.

Troops recovered and handed over the dead bodies of 14 LTTE militants, killed during clashes inthe Akkarayankulam area of Mannar and north of Padaviya areas in the past few days, to the ICRCofficial at Omanthai Entry/Exit point in the Vavuniya district.

The Government’s firm stand on the CFA is unchanged, Government Defence Affairs spokesmanMinister Keheliya Rambukwella said reiterating there will not be peace negotiations with the LTTEunless it lays down arms and surrenders. Rambukwella vehemently denied allegations made bycertain parties that the Air Force had restricted air attacks in the North and the Wanni fearingcivilian casualties.

The Sri Lanka Government sought cooperation of BIMSTEC nations in combating terrorism in theregion saying the sea lanes of Bay of Bengal were being used by terrorists to smuggle arms anddrugs.

The TMVP leader and Member of Parliament, Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias ‘Colonel’ KarunaAmman, said in an interview that political will and military planning will defeat the LTTE.

November 14 The Personal Secretary to the Eastern Province Chief Minister and TMVP leader SivanesathuraiChandrakanthan a.k.a. Pillayan and his driver were assassinated by suspected the LTTE militantsat Oruwela in the Athurugiriya area of Colombo district. Pillayan’s Co­ordinating Secretary Kumara­swamy Nandagopan a.k.a. Ragu had contested at the Eastern Provincial election as the mainTMVP candidate for the Trincomalee district.

November 15 Pooneryn, the LTTE bastion in Northern Province, fell to the troops advancing amid heavyresistance, the military said.

The Janes’s Defence Weekly said it was in a position to confirm that the LTTE made at least oneattempt to transport a consignment of artillery rounds by air to the outfit­controlled areas in theWanni. It said commercial satellite imagery obtained by Jane's confirmed that between 2004 and2007, the outfit constructed two airstrips that could handle aircraft capable of transporting weapons’cargo from Central or Southeast Asia.

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Addressing the nation following the military victory over Pooneryn, President Mahinda Rajapaksereiterated his commitment to a political solution to the conflict and called on the LTTE chief to laydown arms and come for negotiations.

Eastern Province Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan a.k.a. Pillayan said that he has noreason to believe that LTTE was behind the assassination of the TMVP Secretary KumarasamyNandagopan a.k.a. Ragu. The Chief Minister said that incidents like this will negatively influencethose who are moving from militancy to democracy.

November 16 Troops neutralized a LTTE bunker killing at least four militants ahead of the Muhamalai FDL in theJaffna district.

November 17 SFs captured the strategically important Kumulamunai village south of Mullaitivu and the keyjunction town of Mankulam on the A­9 road. Troops also recovered the dead bodies of three LTTEmilitants and an armour plated cab. Troops now reportedly control the Mulliyavali village west ofKumulamunai and next to the Nagacholai forest reserve.

Troops captured the strategically important key junction town of Mankulam on the A­9 road. It iskey junction on the A­9 road with roads leading to Mullaitivu to the West, Vellankulam to the East,Kilinochchi to the North and Omanthai to the South.

Troops clashed with militants at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district and recovered dead bodies ofthree militants, including a Sea Tiger cadre and one from LTTE’s ‘Sodiya’ Group.

Sri Lanka police sources said that plans are underway to set up Police stations in recently capturedareas in the Northern Province. Accordingly, a new police station will be set up in Pooneryn, thestrategic point in north­western coast captured by the security forces last week.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse has said that the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran cancontinue his strategic withdrawals from Paranthan, Elephant Pass, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu aswell. He denied the LTTE's statement that the withdrawal from Pooneryn was a strategic one andreminded that the outfit had told the same when they lost other bastions of theirs.

Informed sources said that around 70 TMVP cadres have defected to rejoin the LTTE during thepast few months. Some of these cadres have killed their colleagues prior to their fleeing to join theoutfit, sources added.

November 17­18 Troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Kilaly and Muhamalai FDLs area on November 17­18and inflicted heavy casualties on the outfit. An unspecified number of soldiers were also killed andthe operation is reportedly still continuing. Meanwhile, the pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net claimed thatthe LTTE in Jaffna put up stiff resistance against the SLA that attempted to advance across theoutfit’s FDL four times between November 17­noon and 10:00am (SLST) on November 18. At least36 SLA soldiers were killed and 90 others wounded, the LTTE said.

November 18 The Sri Lankan Navy confronted a Sea Tiger flotilla off the coast of Nayaru in the Mullaitivu districtkilling six Sea Tigers and destroying two boats in the pre­dawn hours, the military said. The SLAFMI­24 helicopter gun ships also provided close air support to the Navy causing the other four otherLTTE craft to flee while damaging another.

There is the possibility of the Government proscribing the LTTE, said Prime Minister RatnasiriWickremanayake.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama told Parliament that the Government firmly maintains thestance of eradicating terrorism and bringing a political solution to the ethnic problem. Speaking atthe Committee Stage Debate on the Foreign Ministry, he said President Mahinda Rajapakse hasclearly expressed to the international community that the country’s political issues will be solvedonly through political means while also taking measures to put an end to terrorism.

The Central Bank announced that it has forfeited a sum of SLR 71 million of TRO, a LTTE frontorganization, to the State. The Government had confiscated the assets of TRO in August 2006under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act and the Convention on the Suppression of TerroristFinancing Act. The Government charged that the money received by TRO from various donors forhumanitarian projects were, according to intelligence reports, mainly used to finance terroristactivity.

November 19 Troops advancing towards Kokavil, south of Kilinochchi, by November 19­afternoon closed in on theKokavil town centre perimeter where the Kokavil Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation (SLRC)transmission tower stands. The LTTE had captured the area in November 1990 after the militantslaunched an attack on the Army detachment at the SLRC tower which spread transmission to theentire northern part of the island.

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18 dead bodies of the LTTE militants, including seven female cadres, who were killed in the clashesin Mannar and Vavuniya areas, were handed over to the representatives of the InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross in Vavuniya.

President Mahinda Rajapakse again urged Velupillai Prabhakaran and the LTTE to give up violencein the interest of the Tamils of the country and enter into negotiations with the Government.

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama said the capture of Pooneryn has dealt a severe blow to theLTTE arms smuggling capability across Palk Strait, as the latest achievement by the securityforces have denied the outfit access to the North Western Coastal belt.

November 20 At least 130 SLA soldiers lost their lives and more than 450 were wounded in the offensive pushwithin the last three days on Kilali and Muhamalai fronts in the Jaffna district, according to a SriLankan military source, claimed the pro­ LTTE Website Tamil Net. 29 SLA soldiers died sustainingsniper fire and several others were killed while they were trapped in the LTTE minefield. The LTTE,however, is yet to release details on the fighting in Northern Front.

Mangala Samaraweera, leader of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (Mahajana wing), said that 200 SLAsoldiers were killed on November 18 alone and more than 700 were wounded in the recent fighting inWanni. "I know that by last Tuesday, 235 injured soldiers were brought to Colombo NationalHospital. It was reported that 85 were brought to Kalubowila, 90 to Jayewardenepura and more than300 to the military hospital. Also, the bodies of more than 200 brave sons of this country werebrought to Jayaratne Funeral Directors."

More than 50 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured as troops inJaffna overran the first FDL of the outfit in the strategic bottleneck and the lagoon to the north andsouth of the A­9 Jaffna­Kandy Highway. An unspecified number of soldiers were also killed in thefighting that lasted for a few days.

Troops captured one of the LTTE airstrips located in the Nivil area in Pooneryn on November 20­afternoon. The airstrip is about 200m in length and made by demarcating a strip of the B­69Pooneryn­Paranthan main road. The strip is believed to be used as an emergency landing strip bythe LTTE.

Refuting certain media reports and allegations, Media and Information Minister and CabinetSpokesman Anura Priyadarshana Yapa reiterated that the LTTE has been completely defeated anddriven out of Pooneryn and Mankulam with absolutely no hopes of a return. Addressing the weeklyCabinet press briefing in Parliament he said, "This is in no way a ‘tactical pull­out’ as some criticsstrive to portray. They used all means at their disposal such as the construction of bunds andvarious other obstacles on our path to prevent us from reaching there. Losing the A­32 route hasbeen a major blow to them. We are in a very strong position now, with LTTE’s hopes and aspirationsof re­gaining their lost territory a myth."

November 21 Troops recovered a huge arms cache following extensive search and clear operations conducted inthe Pooneryn, Kalmunai point and other surrounding areas. The recoveries included suicide boatsand jackets, a few hundreds of T­56 weapons and LTTE I­com radio sets, several mortars, 12.7­mmweapons, claymore mines, thousands of ammunition rounds, detonator cords, wire rolls, remotecontrol devices, fuses, oxygen cylinders, hand grenades, pistols, pistol rounds and a large stock ofother LTTE warlike items.

November 22 Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka said that the LTTE now have around 3,000fighters with 2,000 of them forcibly recruited, and would die as the SFs close in on Vishvamaduclose to Kilinochchi. He said that at this juncture Velupillai Prabhakaran would decide to flee fromthe country as some others would surrender. The Army Commander said that there would be achance for the LTTE leader to flee in a dinghy boat or in a low lying fast aircraft. The ArmyCommander also said that Prabhakaran is now injured according to verified evidence and he is apatient running from bunker to bunker without medicine.

A recently released report by the University Teachers for Human Rights (Jaffna) quoting sourcesfrom the Wanni said that since early September 2008 the LTTE has conscripted 9,000 ‘very young’persons who are now under training.

November 22­23 120 LTTE militants and 27 soldiers were killed during clashes between the two sides as fightingintensifies for Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka army said. "Pitched battled in Muhamalai, north of Adampan tothe south of Paranthan­Pooneryn road in Kilinochchi, north of Kumulamunai in Welioya during theweekend have caused loss of 120 Tiger terrorists and injury to over 80 more," Defence Ministrysaid. 70 soldiers were injured while a few others went missing. Troops of the Task Force 1 and 57Division deployed in the Adampan and Pudumurippukulam had come under a massive LTTEcounter attack since November 23­evening. Troops of the two units have come in three fronts

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towards the center of the town. The 57th Division fighting in the Terumurikandi area have capturedabout 1.2­km stretch on the earth bund (embankment) built across the Jaffna­Kandy (A­9) roadestablishing their position just a few hundred meters short of the A­9 road, immediately south of theKilinochchi built up, defence authorities said.

November 23 Army troops overran the LTTE’s Entry/Exit point at Omanthai in the Vavuniya after clearing thedefence lines of the outfit in the area, the military said. The Defence Ministry said that troops of theTask Force 2 are now consolidating defences at Omanthai. "The domination over Omanthai willenable the Army to further extend the defence lines linking Mankulam ­ Oddusudan­ Kumulamunai,"the Ministry said. More than 40 LTTE cadres were killed in the incident.

The pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net claimed that at least 43 SLA soldiers were killed and more than 70wounded in the latest fighting that broke out at Nallur on Poonakari­Paranthan road in theKilinochchi district.

The Army intensified its thrust on Kilinochchi, marching towards the city from three frontiers andneutralising many defences, including several points of an earth bund (embankment) constructed bythe LTTE, the Defence Ministry said.

A Sri Lanka Defence Ministry statement claimed that 41 civilians in two groups broke out of theLTTE­held areas and arrived at the Omanthai roadblock in the Vavuniya district.

The Eastern Provincial Council Chief Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan a.k.a. Pillayan hassaid that that since he took office in May 2008 not a single person has been recruited to theCouncil. "I don’t have any powers to implement the 13th Amendment. We have asked the centralgovernment to give us the powers vested in the 13th Amendment," he said in an interview with a SriLankan weekend newspaper. He also accused that Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’Karuna Amman, the leader of his party, TMVP, who is with the Government is now convincing theGovernment not to give powers to him. Chandrakanthan also said that only a few cabinet ministersin the district are directly involved in the ongoing development projects in the province.

November 24 Three dead bodies of LTTE militants, including one female cadre, killed in the Akkarayankulam areaof Kilinochchi district were handed over to officials of the International Committee of the Red Crossin Vavuniya.

The Defence Ministry in a statement said, "Defence intelligence reveals that LTTE has marshalledits final reserves to the battlefront to save their symbolically­important stronghold — Kilinochchi. Allsenior terrorist leaders have been heard over the radio, commanding their cadre to die for the safetyof the terror supreme V. Prabhakaran."

Troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Karadiyankadu area of Jaffna district and inflicted anunspecified number of casualties upon the outfit.

Troops in the north of Akkarayankulam in Kilinochchi district and Kumulamunai and Andankulam inthe Vavuniya district confronted groups of LTTE militants killing and injuring an unspecified numberof them. During a subsequent search operation in Andankulam, troops recovered five anti­personnelmines and two improvised explosive devises.

Defence sources said that the LTTE are fleeing northward from their forward defence line atOmanthai in the Vavuniya district as the outfit has shifted the entry/exit point to their territory fromVavuniya to Oddusudan situated on A­34 highway.

November 25 Troops captured Olumaduwai, a major base of the LTTE four kilometres northeast of Mankulamalong the Mankulam­Mullaitivu (A­34) road in the Mullaitivu district. The Task Force­3 entered theOlumaduwai area after a fierce battle that lasted several days, military sources said. An unspecifiednumber of militants were killed in the operation.

A group of LTTE militants moving in the Ambagaswewa area, about 10­kilometre northeast ofHorowpathana, in the Anuradhapura district were observed and attacked by the troops. Later, troopswith the assistance of Civil Defence Force personnel conducted a search operation in the area andrecovered the dead bodies of four militants.

STF personnel killed three militants in the Karaweddi area of Batticaloa district.

Three LTTE cadres were shot dead by the SFs at Vavuvathivu in the Batticaloa district.

The Colombo Magistrate Court issued a notice to eight members of the TRO, frontal organisation ofthe LTTE, to appear in courts regarding allegations over its finances. The Magistrate Court madethis order following an application made by the CID. According to sources of the Central Bank of Sri

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Lanka, the TRO had used its funds to finance LTTE activity. The CID had conducted investigationson this issue following a complaint made by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The eight TRO membersare required to appear in courts on February 9, 2009.

November 26 An unspecified number of LTTE militants were killed and several others injured as clashes eruptedbetween the two sides in the Kumulamunai area of Vavuniya district. Troops later recovered thedead bodies of five militants, including three female cadres. One female militant was also arrestedwith gunshot injuries.

The fall of Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s strategic bastion in the Wanni and its core administrative capitalis imminent as troops had established positions in the outskirts of Kilinochchi district, DefenceAffairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said. He said that the security forces weremoving from the south, southwest and west of Kilinochchi.

November 27 The LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, while vowing to fight on and evict Government forces fromtheir 'land', said his organization wants to stop the war and seek a peaceful resolution to the nationalquestion of the Tamil people. In his "Hero’s Day" speech, an annual ritual followed since 1989,delivered from an undisclosed location in the jungles of Wanni, he said, "We are waging a defensivewar for the freedom of our people." He urged the Tamil people living outside the country tocontribute to his movement to "strengthen the hands of our freedom movement and continue toextend their contributions and help."

Reports indicated that the ‘Hero’s Week’ of the LTTE in northern part of Sri Lanka failed to evokemuch response. According to sources in Wanni, the celebrations were held only in Mullaitivu districtas people of the other key areas in the North have rejected the celebrations. The LTTE had urgedthe people in those areas to close down all the shops and offices even in Vavuniya and Jaffna, butthe order was disregarded, sources added. Sri Lanka Police said that they have tightened thesecurity in those areas where the celebrations were held in past years but no such incidents werereported this time.

Mangala Samaraweera, leader of the SLFP­M, said on November 27 that the fate of one officer andthree soldiers allegedly captured by the militants in Kungchupparanthan was not known. 700critically injured soldiers were admitted to Anuradhapura Military hospital, another 700 in SLAHospital Colombo, 250 in Colombo National Hospital, 160 in Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, 90 inRagama Hospital and 65 in Kalubowila Hospital, according to Samaraweera.

November 28 75 SLA soldiers were confirmed dead and more than 160 injured during fighting with the LTTE in theKunchankulam area of Kilinochchi district, according to pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net.

Clashes erupted between the two sides at Otiyamale in the Vavuniya district in which the LTTEsuffered an unspecified number of casualties. Subsequently, the SFs recovered dead bodies of fivemilitants along with four T­56 weapons and one I­com set.

November 29 The troops advancing in the northeast entered Otiyamale town located southwest ofTannimurippukulam in the Mullaitivu district, the military said. An unspecified number of LTTEmilitants were killed and injured in the operation. During subsequent search operations, troopsrecovered dead bodies of four militants and a cache of weapons.

Dead bodies of five LTTE militants, including a female cadre, who were killed during clashes in thePadaviya and Janakapura areas of Vavuniya district were handed over to the representatives of theInternational Committee of the Red Cross in Vavuniya.

Kandy and its suburbs have been identified as the second most LTTE­threatened area afterColombo, according to intelligence reports. The Deputy Inspector General (Central Province), PujithJayasundara, said police recently arrested 115 persons during raids in the Kandy, Matale andNuwara Eliya areas and information gathered from three of the arrested persons led to the recoveryof 500­kilograms of C4 explosives and four claymore mines. In another case, a person caughttransporting a large quantity of explosives by lorry admitted to previously transporting some 1,000­kilograms of explosives to Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya. Suicide squads of 11 LTTE cadreswere reportedly living in the Kandy area, Jayasundara said.

November 30 Troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the Kumulamunai east area of Vavuniya district andinflicted heavy casualties upon the outfit. During subsequent search operations, the SFs recovereddead bodies of three militants along with three T­56 weapons and one I­com set.

Italy recognised the dangerous potential of terrorists by arresting those with alleged links to theLTTE, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Italy, Hemantha Warnakulasuriya told Adnkronos International(AKI). He said the Italian government had taken the lead in Europe in clamping down on anyonewho tried to extort money from the Sri Lankan community to support the outfit. Italian authorities in

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June arrested 28 suspected LTTE sympathisers in nine Italian cities, including Rome and Naples.Warnakulasuriya said others had been arrested elsewhere in Italy.

December 1 Troops completed the capture of Kokavil town area about 15­km north of Mankulam in theKilinochchi district. Kokavil, a key town on the Jaffna­Kandy (A­9) road in the south of Kilinochchiwas captured by the troops after advancing three kilometres southwards from Murikkandy. With thecapture of Kokavil town troops have taken full control of the A­9 road from Murikkandy in the southof Kilinochchi to Mankulam junction.

A provincial leader of the LTTE, Thangawel Krishnapillei alias Chuti, was shot dead by the Police atEravur in the Batticaloa district.

Government reiterated that the ongoing operations in the North will cease only after all civilians arefully liberated from the LTTE control. Making a statement to the local media, Defence spokesmanMinister Keheliya Rambukwella said the operations in Wanni are being carried out successfully atthe moment.

December 2 Troops captured Periyakulam village, about 1­km west of the newly­captured Otiyamale, in theMullaitivu district. Periyakulam lies near Vavuniya and Mullaitivu district borders.

The dead bodies of four people, including three children, were recovered at Maithreepura village inthe Padaviya area of Anuradhapura district.

The ICRC in Vavuniya delivered five more dead bodies of the LTTE militants, including threefemales, who were killed during recent clashes in the Kumulamunai area of Vavuniya district.

The number of civilians fleeing the LTTE­held areas is increasing as the resistance of LTTE waningday by day. According to the defence sources, 15 more civilians have arrived in Vavuniya onDecember 2­morning at the Omanthai Entry­Exit point Vavuniya, seeking refuge. The officials havetaken measures to settle them at a refugee camp in Vavuniya.

December 3 A total of 75,000 anti­personnel landmines have been removed from areas affected by terrorism,Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Humanitarian De­mining at the Nation BuildingMinistry, N.S. Jayasinghe, said. Project Manager of Humanitarian De­mining Unit, Imthiyas Ismail,said landmines have been removed from a 17 billion square metre area in the liberated areasincluding the recently liberated Eastern Province. Meanwhile, Senior Project Officer of Support toMine Action Project Programme Management Unit of United Nations Development Programme,Niloufer de Silva, said more than 1,700 persons have lost their limbs due to landmine explosions.

December 4 Troops captured the strategically important Alampil area, 10­kilometres south of Mullaitivu, whileTask Force II troops captured the key junction town of Puliyankulam on the A­9 highway.

Nine more dead bodies of the LTTE militants, including five females, killed during clashes in theKumulamunai and Otiyamale areas of Vavuniya district were handed over to the ICRCrepresentatives.

The extension of emergency rule for another month was passed in the Sri Lanka Parliament with amajority of 100 votes.

The TMVP represented by its leaders, Member of Parliament Karuna and Eastern Province ChiefMinister Pillayan, signed an agreement with the UNICEF to end its child recruitment. According to aUNICEF press release, the agreement would ensure the immediate release of all children currentlywith the TMVP.

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake told the Parliament that some parties have pressured theGovernment to enter into a cease­fire agreement with the LTTE. He, however, reiterated that theGovernment will not agree for a cease­fire till the ongoing operations are concluded.

Defence spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that the Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh and President Mahinda Rajapakse had come to a mutual agreement that theGovernment would declare a cease­fire only if the LTTE disarmed themselves.

December 5 Troops moving eastwards across the main A­9 highway captured Kanakarayankulam located about10­km north of Puliyankulam, in the Kilinochchi district. With the capture of Kanakarayankulam,Puliyankulam, Mankulam and Kokavil towns, troops have now cleared a 21­km segment of the A­9highway between Omanthai to the south and Kokavil to the north facilitating the civilian movementinto Government controlled areas.

December 6 Troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the north of Olumaduwai in the Kilinochchi district andinflicted heavy casualties upon the militants. Troops later recovered the dead bodies of 10 militants,including seven female cadres, along with 13 T­56 weapons.

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Approximately 12 militants were killed and an equal number of them were injured as clashes eruptedbetween the two sides near the Olumaduwai town centre.

Six dead bodies of militants killed during clashes in the Kumulamunai, Akkarayankulam, Thunukkaiand Thanthirimale areas were handed over to the ICRC by the SFs at Omanthai in the Vavuniyadistrict.

Troops captured the bridge over Kanakaryan Aru on the Puliyankulam­Nedunkerni road, about 5.5­km northeast of Puliyankulam, in the Kilinochchi district.

December 7 The military claimed to be advancing on multi­fronts into parts under LTTE control in the Kilinochchiand Mullaitivu districts.

The Ministry of Resettlement and Rehabilitation said that the resettlement process in Trincomaleedistrict has been completed.

The Defence ministry said the "strategic focus" of the counter operations in Wanni shifted fromKilinochchi to Mullaitivu battlefront since last week as the troops started sweeping down the A­34road that leads to the last bastion of the LTTE. It said troops confronted the militants at least in sixlocations in the east of Olumaduwai town and claimed that the outfit had suffered heavy casualties.

The military claimed that three "senior LTTE cadres" who fought for the outfit for more than adecade have surrendered to the Army. The three, aged between 25­30 years, surrendered beforetroops operating in the Pooneryn area of Kilinochchi District and laid down their weapons.

December 8 Troops commenced their eastward march from the north of captured Kanakarayankulam on the A­9road immediately and took control of Katkidanku junction which links all surrounding importanttowns like Nedunkerni, Nainamadu, Olumaduwai and Kanakarayankulam areas, the ArmyHeadquarters officially declared.

Five militants were killed during clashes with the troops in the Otiyamale sector of Vavuniya district.

Troops attacked a group of LTTE militants in the Bakmitiyawa jungles of Ampara district and killedfour of them.

The Defence Ministry said the "strategic focus" of the counter operations in Wanni shifted fromKilinochchi to Mullaitivu battlefront since last week as the troops started sweeping down the A­34road that leads to the last bastion of the LTTE.

Troops commenced their eastward march from the north of captured Kanakarayankulam on the A­9road and took control of Katkidanku junction which links all surrounding important towns likeNedunkerni, Nainamadu, Olumaduwai and Kanakarayankulam areas, the Army Headquartersofficially declared.

Five militants were killed during clashes with the troops in the Otiyamale sector of VavuniyaDistrict.

SFs attacked a group of LTTE militants in the Bakmitiyawa jungles of Ampara District and killedfour of them.

The Sri Lankan Government, in a special gazette notification, dissolved the North Western and theCentral Provincial Councils. Terms for both these are to end in August 2009.

December 9 11 more dead bodies, including that of seven female cadres, of the LTTE militants killed in clasheswith troops at Mankulam in the Olumaduwai area of Mullaitivu District were handed over to theICRC.

The TMVP reassured that they will disarm in the near future. The Eastern Province Chief Ministerand deputy leader of the party, Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan a. k. a. Pillayan, gave thisassurance during a meeting with the Deputy British High Commissioner in Sri Lanka, Mark Gooding.

December 10 The Government has overwhelming public support for its war against the LTTE and most peoplebelieve the outfit will soon be defeated, an opinion poll indicated. Research group TNS Lanka saidclose to 75 per cent of people questioned said they are "firmly in favour of military action, seeing itas the only route to wipe out terrorism."

December 10­11 More than 60 SLA soldiers were killed during fighting with the LTTE militants at a location fivekilometres west of Kilinochchi on December 10. At the same time, heavy fighting broke out atAriviyal Nakar, south of Kilinochchi, where 29 SLA soldiers were killed in the clashes. More than180 SLA soldiers were wounded in both these clashes, the Website added. The Website onDecember 11, however, claimed that 120 soldiers were killed more than 280 wounded in these

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clashes.

December 11 27 LTTE militants and 20 soldiers were killed as the troops advancing northwards from Kokavil andeastwards from Akkarayankulam captured the strategically vital Terumurikandi junction inKilinochchi District. Troops also captured the Murikkandy Hindu temple area.

Troops attacked several groups of LTTE militants in the Adampan, Akkarayankulam, Iranamaduand Mankulam north areas of Kilinochchi District, causing heavy casualties upon the militants. Twoarea leaders of the outfit, identified as Kabeithovan and Mohiran, were among the militants killed inMankulam. Several soldiers were also injured in these battles.

December 12 SFs handed over 13 more dead bodies of the LTTE militants, including two female cadres, killed inWanni to the ICRC in Vavuniya. The ICRC also brought the dead bodies of 11 soldiers handed overto them by the LTTE.

December 14 Troops of 59 Division advancing in the Kumulamunai area of Mullaitivu District clashed with theLTTE militants killing an unspecified number of them. During subsequent search operations, SFsrecovered the dead bodies of four militants, including one female cadre, along with four T­56weapons and six hand grenades.

A senior Government official in Mullaitivu said that over 163,000 people have been displaced inMullaitivu due to the fighting. Government Agent Emilda Sukumar said approximately 8000 peopleare fleeing towards LTTE­held Puthukkudiyiruppu as shell attacks have recommenced in andaround Mullaitivu town from December 13.

Military sources said that 21 LTTE militants led by Nagulan, a former LTTE leader in the East, hasinfiltrated the East with the objective of destabilising the security situation and four militants whohad been killed by the troops in Bakmitiyawa in Ampara on December 8 belonged to that group.

President Mahinda Rajapakse reiterated that no force can reverse the unparalleled victoriesachieved by the SFs against the LTTE terrorism as they are fighting a war setting an example tothe entire world without facing a single drawback since the Mavilaru battle to the Wanni liberationoperation.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, Ambassador RavinathaAryasinha, said sufficient evidence was available that operations of front organisations are anintegral part of the LTTE as seen in recent action against the outfit’s fronts in the US and Canada.

December 15 After hours of heavy fighting with the LTTE, Troops of Task Force III captured the strategicAmpakamam village in Mullaitivu District. The town, located approximately seven kilometres northof Olumaduwai, is a main administrative hub of the outfit.

The 59 Division troops took control of a three kilometre stretch of the A­34 road from the SouthWest of Mulliyavali village totally cutting off links between Mullaitivu and Oddusudan which was avital supply route connecting the coastal town with the southern part of Mullaitivu District.

Troops of the 57 Division and the Task Force I attacked LTTE camps in the Adampan, Iranamaduand Nivil areas of Kilinochchi District and the 59 Division troops operating in Mullaitivu expandedtheir Kumulamunai defence line killing an unspecified number of militants. During subsequentsearch operations, troops recovered the dead bodies of two militants along with two T­56 weapons,with magazines, and one hand­held communication set.

December 16 120 LTTE militants and 25 soldiers were killed during clashes between the two sides near the Kilalyand Muhamalai FDLs) of Jaffna District and elsewhere in the Kilinochchi sector. 250 militants and160 soldiers sustained injuries while 10 more soldiers went missing. The troops also destroyed apart of the outfit’s five kilometres long stretch of defensive earth bund in the Kilinochchi sector frommany different places, the Army Headquarters stated. In addition, the troops capturedChorikenkulam village, about seven kilometres to the west of the A­9 highway pushing militantsfurther into the jungle areas. The pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net, however, claimed that more than 40SLA soldiers were killed and at least 120 soldiers wounded in the morning of December 16 when theLTTE repulsed an offensive push by the SLA along the Kilali area of Jaffna District.

The 59 Division troops now operating in the southern perimeter of the Mullaitivu centre totally cut offLTTE movement along the Mullaitivu­Oddusudan (A­34) road as they captured a few kilometre­longswathe of land parallel to the road which lies about 6.5 kilometres southwest of Mullaitivu.

Troops clashed with militants in the Ampakamam area of Mullaitivu District and later recovereddead bodies of five militants, including three women cadres, along with one Multi Purpose MachineGun and three T­56 weapons.

December 17 The LTTE claimed that 130 SLA soldiers were killed and more than 300 wounded when the LTTE

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repulsed the multi­front offensive push by the SLA in Kilinochchi on December 16 which continuedthroughout the day on four main localities and along a wide stretch of the Kilinochchi frontiers.LTTE's director of peace secretariat, S. Puleedevan, said on December 16 the major push, whichwas foiled by the outfit, was the third debacle of the SLA in recent days in Kilinochchi.

15 dead bodies of LTTE militants were recovered along with a cache of arms and ammunition fromthe Chorikenkulam area, about seven kilometres to the west of the A­9 highway, in KilinochchiDistrict.

The troops clashed with the LTTE militants in the areas south of Adampan, south and west ofIranamadu, Nivil and Adampan in the Kilinochchi District and killed an unspecified number of them.They also recovered the dead bodies of four militants, including one female cadre, along with threeT­56 weapons, 2040 rounds of ammunition, one I­com set and two claymore mines from the area.Troops also captured a LTTE penetration point along the Army’s FDL and expanded their FDL in theNivil area.

During a clash between the two sides in the Kumulamunai area of Mullaitivu District, the troopsexpanded their FDL inflicting heavy casualties upon the militants. The SFs later recovered the deadbodies of two militants along with one T­56 weapon, two tractor engines, one tractor tailor and oneC­90 Honda motorcycle from the area.

December 18 The troops expanded the existing Security Force’s defence line in the Karuppaddamurippu area ofMullaitivu District.

The APRC Chairman, Prof. Tissa Vitharana, announced that the Committee is meeting twice aweek to hold discussions on core issues on devolution of power. Political parties in the Committeeare now debating contentious issues regarding the devolution of power after reaching a consensuson 90 percent of the issues, the Chairman said. The APRC formed in 2006 comprises 14 politicalparties. However, the main opposition United National Party and the Marxist Janatha VimukthiPeramuna have boycotted the APRC.

December 19 The 57 Division troops captured the northern edge of the LTTE’s earth cum ditch bund from thewestern side of Iranamadu tank in the Kilinochchi District. Troops also destroyed a few morebunkers on the earth bund before they took control an area of about 200 metres in length, awayfrom the pierced earth bund. With this the whole area east of the A­9 road up to the Iranamadu tankhas been brought under troop’s control.

Troops handed over 15 dead bodies of the LTTE militants to the ICRC officials to be taken acrossthe Omanthai Entry/Exit point in Vavuniya to be delivered to the outfit.

December 20 Troops clashed with militants in the Kumulamunai and north of Ampakamam areas in MullaitivuDistrict and killed several of them. Troops later recovered the dead bodies of three militants.

President Mahinda Rajapakse has urged politicians concerned over the safety of Tamil civilians to"coax the LTTE to allow the civilians to move towards the safe corridor".

December 21 Troops of Task Force IV captured the strategically important town of Nedunkerni, a LTTE strongholdin Mullaitivu District. Nedunkerni was considered as a key administrative hub by the LTTE withthree main roads leading to Puliyankulam, Oddusudan and Mullaitivu interlinking each other in thetown of Nedunkerni.

SFs repulsed a LTTE attack in the north of Iranamadu area in Kilinochchi District. During the day­long battle that lasted till 6 pm (SLST), 12 soldiers were killed, 34 sustained injuries and 16 wentmissing. The pro­LTTE Website Tamil Net, however, claimed 60 soldiers were killed and the Armywas pushed back. Rejecting the LTTE claim, the Defence Ministry said monitored LTTE radiotransmission revealed that the outfit has suffered heavy damages.

Despite stringent measures to freeze funds, the TRO, a LTTE front organisation, reportedly raisedover SLR 60 million in August 2008.

The leader of the TMVP and parliamentarian Vinayagamoorthy Muraleetharan alias ‘Colonel’ KarunaAmman has formed a new party named as Tamileela Makkal Viduthalai Koddani (TMVK or the TamilPeople’s Liberation Alliance).

December 22 56 LTTE militants and 10 soldiers were killed as the troops captured a two kilometre stretch of landwest of Paranthan, Adampan and Iranamadu in the Kilinochchi District. More than 87 militants and40 soldiers sustained injuries in these clashes. However, head of the LTTE’s peace secretariat, S.Puleedevan, quoting the outfit’s field commanders said more than 100 SLA soldiers were killed andat least 250 were wounded when the LTTE repulsed a fresh offensive push of the SLA. Heavyfighting erupted when the SLA attempted to advance from Uruththirapuram towards Kilinochchi and

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Iranamadu. Puleedevan claimed fighting was continuing on three fronts.

SFs recovered the dead bodies of four LTTE militants subsequent to the clashes that led to thecapture of segments of the LTTE earth bund in the Nivil area of Kilinochchi District.

Troops of the 59 Division continued their advance amidst LTTE resistance in the area north ofKumulamunai in the Mullaitivu district and managed to extend their FDL further.

President Mahinda Rajapakse issued a warning to the LTTE asking it to release civilians heldcaptive as ‘human shields’ before the dawn of New Year or be ready to be banned and neutralised.We also rule out a ‘Ceasefire’ sans a ‘Lay ­down of Arms’, by the LTTE, the President said.

The Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told The Island that the armed forces had nointention to call a halt to their present offensive against the LTTE in the North.

The LTTE has said they that will continue to fight even if they lose Kilinochchi. The head of theoutfit’s political wing, Balasingham Nadesan, told BBC that the outfit can defend the town and evenif it falls, they will fight on. He said: "Freedom... never depends on one city. We can create morecommunities, more cities and [in] our freedom struggle, we are supported by people. We have theconfidence that we will capture more areas in our motherland and we will create so manycommunities in [the] future." He rejected the Government's offer of talks if the outfit laid down theirweapons first. "This is not a realistic question, we took up arms to safeguard our people, so we willkeep these arms until the safeguard is guaranteed," Nadesan stated.

December 23 12 LTTE militants were killed and an unspecified number of them injured as the troops of the TaskForce­I consolidating their positions about 300 meters further southward along the LTTE earth bundcaptured the Sinnaparanthan area of Kilinochchi District. Troops later recovered the dead body oneLTTE militant along with one T­56 weapon.

The troops recovered dead bodies of three LTTE cadres from Mankulam area in Kilinochchi District.

Troops of the 59 Division expanded their defence line some metres ahead and consolidatedpositions in the area east of Mulliyavalai in the Mullaitivu District. An unspecified number ofmilitants were killed in the subsequent intense fighting which erupted when the militants launched acounter attack on the troops.

The Inspector General of Police, Jayantha Wickramarathna, warned of possible suicide attacks onkey points in south Sri Lanka as the LTTE faces defeat in the North. He also said the SFs haveseized approximately 4,350 kilograms of C­4 and TNT explosives across the southern part in 2008.

December 24 Troops conducted search and clear operations in the areas east and north of Adampan area ofKilinochchi District and recovered the dead bodies of three militants along with two T­56 weaponsand one T­81 weapon.

One more airstrip of the LTTE with a width of 25 meters and length of 350 meters was captured bythe Army as the troops moved further towards north of Ampakamam in the Mullaitivu District.

The LTTE has called all students in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Districts who have completed therecent GCE Ordinary Level examination to join combat training, latest military intelligence reportssaid. Over 8,000 students sat for the GCE Ordinary Level Examinations in these two Districts, saidDefence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.

December 25 The 59 division troops captured a communication tower used by the LTTE in the area north ofMulliyavalai in Mullaitivu District.

Troops captured an LTTE training base in the Kulamarippu area of Mullaitivu District.

The Government admitted that there would be a delay in capturing Kilinochchi owing to severalcivilians still remaining in the outskirts of the town. Since December 1, 363 civilians have reportedlysought protection of the Army.

The ICRC has said that about 800 dead bodies of combatants were transferred across the Armyand LTTE frontlines in Wanni during 2008. It, however, did not identify the combatants separately. InNovember and December alone, the ICRC had facilitated the transfer of about 200 dead bodies.

The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Champika Ranawaka, addressing a Sri Lankanaudience in Britain pointed out that over 826 innocent civilians were killed by the LTTE terroristsduring July 2006 to December 2008.

December 26 The military claimed to have captured Mulliyavalai Township located along the A­34 main road andkilled several LTTE militants after hours of heavy fighting.

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Troops clashed with militants in the Adampan east, Adampan south, Iranamadu west and SinnaParanthan east areas of Kilinochchi District and subsequently expanded their defence line south ofAdampan.

December 27 The dead bodies of eight LTTE militants, including four female cadres, killed during clashes in theParanthan area of Kilinochchi District were taken to un­cleared areas (area not under Governmentcontrol) by the ICRC.

The Sri Lanka Navy destroyed a LTTE logistic boat, 12 nautical miles north east of Point Pedro, inthe Jaffna District. Four Sea Tigers (cadres of the sea wing of the LTTE were also reported to havebeen killed, as the Navy engaged the fleeing vessel in the northern seas. The boat which wascompletely destroyed due to Navy fire is believed to have carried logistics for the LTTE, includingweapons.

Troops of the Task Force­I captured Nalanawakulam agricultural village, situated on the Pooneryn­Paranthan (B­69) road and about five kilometres west of Paranthan in the Kilinochchi District.Troops inflicted heavy casualties upon the militants and later recovered the dead bodies of threemilitants along with some weapons with ammunition.

Quoting intelligence reports, the Defence Ministry said the LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran hadbeen faced with a serious problem with finding a safe hiding place. "The terror chief overwhelmedwith fears for his life due to increasing threats from his own outfit as well as from the advancingsoldiers is reportedly shifting his hiding place in quick successions," the ministry added.

December 28 The LTTE claimed that at least 50 SLA soldiers were killed and 90 wounded in the Alampil area ofMullaitivu District on December 27. 15 SLA soldiers were also killed and more than 30 wounded inthe nearby Uduppukkulam village.

Eight persons were killed when a suspected LTTE suicide bomber blew himself after entering thepremises of a Civil Defence Force (CDF) post at Wattala in the Colombo District. One Army officer,six CDF personnel and one civilian died while 17 others sustained injuries.

Army troops at Black Bridge in the Chenkaladi area of Batticaloa District confronted a group ofLTTE militants and inflicted heavy casualties upon the militants. During subsequent search andclear operations, the troops recovered dead bodies of four militants along with two T­56 weaponsand two micro pistols.

December 29 Sri Lanka Government said that they will arrest the LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran and bringhim to the courts before February 7, 2009. Speaking at a function in Kandy, Defence spokesmanMinister Keheliya Rambukwella said the outfit’s chief is currently hiding in a bunker, limited only toa small area in Wanni. According to the Minister government troops will over run Prabhakaran’sbunker in the near future.

Velupillai Prabhakaran said that India is set to support his struggle to get for the Tamils of SriLanka, the right to self­determination. The LTTE leader said that the belief that the group was on theverge of a defeat was misplaced. Asked if he had any time table for securing an independent TamilEelam, since he was ageing, and there was no sign of independence, Prabhakaran said, "Ours is afreedom struggle. It has no time limits or age limits."

The Army received dead bodies of 17 soldiers from the International Committee of the Red Crossofficials at Omanthai in the Vavuniya District.

December 30 The Task Force­I troops captured Kamalakadukulam, about two kilometers west of Paranthan, andThadduwankoddy, in the north west of Paranthan, in Kilinochchi District. "Intercepted radiotransmissions confirmed that 20 Tiger cadres were killed and 30 wounded in the fierce battles thaterupted from early hours of yesterday. The Task Force I troops managed to recover six Tiger bodiesduring search and clear operations," sources said.

President Mahinda Rajapakse said the Government plans to hold elections in the Tamil dominatednorth in 2009 after flushing out the LTTE from their strongholds and rehabilitating the displacedpeople.

Leader of the LTTE political wing, Balasingham Nadesan, said in an e­mail sent to AssociatedPress the outfit did not believe they were facing imminent defeat. Stressing that the LTTE had notabandoned hopes for new peace talks, he said, "we have always been ready for peace talks, butthe Sri Lankan government has been always insisting on a military solution." The Government,however, reiterated that it would only consider new peace moves if the LTTE agreed to disarm.

December 31 More than 50 LTTE militants were killed and over 60 injured by the SFs as clashes erupted betweenthe two sides when the Task Force­I troops on entered the strategically important Paranthan town

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after cutting off the A­9 road from the north of Paranthan junction, said Army Commander Lt.General Sarath Fonseka. Paranthan is a strategically important four way junction town in theremaining areas held by the LTTE in Wanni and the North as it connects Pooneryn in the West,Mullaitivu in the East, Kilinochchi in the South, and Jaffna and Muhamalai in the North to one mainhub through B­69, A­35 and A­9 roads.

Troops of 59 Division confronted LTTE militants in west of Mulliyavalai in the Mullaitivu District andsubsequently recovered the dead bodies of 15 militants along with one Rocket Propeller Grenade(RPG) launcher, 12 RPG rounds, nine T­56 weapons, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun, 40 handgrenades, four I­com sets, one Global Positioning System and one Night Vision Device from thearea. 11 soldiers were injured during these clashes.

Army troops advancing towards Kilinochchi town attacked more LTTE camps in the east and westof Iranamadu, north and south of Adampan and Paranthan areas inflicting an unspecified number ofcasualties to the outfit. In subsequent search operations, troops recovered dead bodies of sevenmilitants along with three T­56 weapons, one Light Machine Gun, four T­56 magazines and two handgrenades from Adampan south and Paranthan areas. A few soldiers sustained injuries during theseclashes.