(2009-07-02)Sri Lankan government has done its best to provide facilities to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). With the establishment of the fifth camp, the congestion had been reduced to a great degree, said Japanese envoy for Peace Building, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction in Sri Lanka, Yasushi Akashi.

He said so at the meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa, yesterday June 30, at Janadhipathi Mandiraya.

President Rajapaksa briefed Akashi, referring to the IDPs accommodated in Vavuniya, he stated that the government has taken action to improve the conditions of the welfare villages. The President noted that the resettlement of over 287000 people will be a considerable challenge while clearing land mines and attending to the infrastructure facilities.

The government has taken measures to attend to the daily needs of the people while the development activities going ahead simultaneously. Arrangements have been made for children to attend school without idling in the camps, he added.

The President further stated that he wished to provide an opportunity to the LTTE carders who are among the IDPs to be rehabilitated and integrated into the society.

With regard to the political process, president said that he has a road map. Reiterating the need for a home grown solution he restated his commitment to the implementation of the 13th amendment.

While admiring the government program on IDPs, Akashi said that the Japanese government has begun to fund the de-mining activities in Sri Lanka.

Courtesy: Presidential Media Unit

(2009-07-01)President Mahinda Rajapaksa today pledged to protect and safeguard the nation freed by gallant troops and stressed that he would not allow anyone to disturb the freed country again."I will uphold and execute all what is contained in the 'Mahinda Chintana' with sacrifice', the President asserted.

The President made these observations addressing the newly appointed SLFP Organisers and District Organisers at Temple Trees this afternoon.

Twelve new organisers and 11 new district organisers were given letters of appointment by the President.

Continuing the President recalled that the SLFP always arrived at decisions considering the nation and the people and would not take decisions for the benefit of staying in power.

He pointed out that he would take decisions regarding the nation at the appropriate time and would do so fearlessly.

While recalling the mode how terrorism was crushed as one team,the President urged all to join as a team to win the challenge of development.

Ministers Maithripala Sirisena, Susil Premjayantha and SLFP seniors were present on this occassion.(news.lk)

Norochcholai stages II, III to begin,On completion project will provide 900 MW power:

(2009-06-30)Chaminda Perera

Sri Lanka entered into agreement with the Chinese Government yesterday to commence the second and third phases of the Norochcholai coal power project which is aimed at generating over 600MW.

The Exim Bank of China has provided a loan of US$ 891 million for the second and third phases of the project which will begin in October.

This loan is repayable in 20 years at two percent interest.

Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman E.A.S.K. Edirisinghe and President of the China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) Jia Zhiqiang signed the agreement on behalf of the two Governments in the presence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne and Chinese Ambassador in Sri Lanka Yang Xiuping .

The Chinese Government agreed to provide financial assistance to the country’s biggest ever power generation project on a request by President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his State visit to China in 2006.

The first phase of the project generating over 300MW is expected to be completed by next year. The Chinese company which undertook the construction has decided to complete the construction one year before it was originally planned.

Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne at a press conference held at the Information Department said the first, second and third phases of the project is expected to generate over 50 percent of the country’s power requirement and power sector will see massive development with the completion of this project.

The coal power project will halve the production cost of an electricity unit and this will directly help boost the country’s economy, he said. The Minister said the country’s daily power requirement is 1800MW and this project will add 900MW to the National Power Grid.

He said the diesel power generation plants can be removed after this project is completed by the Government. “The production cost of an electricity unit is Rs. 14.50 but the CEB sells it to the public at Rs. 13.00 incurring a loss of Rs. 1.50 for every unit.

The production cost of an electricity unit can be brought down with the completion of Norochcholai Coal power project. The diesel power generation is very costly when compared with coal power generation.

He said the main objective of the project is to reduce the existing electricity tariff which is the highest in the Asian region.

“Power supply to the Northern and Eastern areas will be expedited with the completion of this project. We find it difficult to provide electricity when there is drought and this situation will change after this project is completed,” the Minister said.

Under Phases II and III of the project, a substation is expected to be constructed at Chilaw and a transmission line will be extended from Puttalam to Anuradhapura. Over 3000 youths in the area will get direct and indirect employment opportunities due to this project.

The Minister said the families who were evacuated from the construction site in Norochcholai have been provided fully equipped houses . “We provided each family two acres of lands.

The infrastructure facilities in the area were developed, he said. Addressing the media CMEC President Jia Zhiqiang said the Government and the CEB has provided all assistance they required to complete Phase I construction one year before it was scheduled to be completed.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-29)All these years we have been speaking politics, about winning elections and about preferential votes but now the time has come for us to develop the country and its society so that our children were safe to live in it.

It was as a father of three children and as the father of all the children in this country that I wish to say that the country should be freed of the drug menace and the time has now come for us to see that our children tread that safe path in a country where righteousness was the norm, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said addressing a public meeting at Handugala on Saturday held in connection with reopening a tea factory that was closed for two decades.

The time has also come to end corruption and waste and to start operations against the underworld gangs to liberate the younger generation, the future citizens of this country from this menace as well. In this process we may be creating enemies but we are not afraid to do it and we seek your cooperation to make these operations successful, the President said.

We have to start this operation against drugs and crime in the same manner that we ended the war with the humanitarian operations of the past two and a half years and the time has come for us to stop thinking about ourselves and think about the country's future.

Leaders without foresight had given a part of the country to the terrorists by a document but today it had been liberated from the terrorists and united so that the young men and women of Kilinochchi or those of Katuwana could live without fear President Rajapaksa noted.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-27)Lakshmi de SILVA

The accelerated development programs started in 20 backward villages in Uva Province this year would improve the living standard of the villagers, a senior official of the Nation Building Ministry told the Daily News.

The Government has allocated Rs. 780 million in 2009 for the Moneragala and Badulla districts for the development of rural roads, drinking water supply projects, minor irrigation schemes, rural electrification, health, education and other social development programs.

Already Rs. 338 million has been released as expenses incurred for these projects, he said.

“Raththanapitiya, Madatagama, Ruhunu Danavva, Yal Kumbura, Kalugaha Vadiya, Ihawa, Galtemmandiya, Siripura, Kotaveheragama, Kiri Ibban Wewa and Karavile villages in the Moneragala district will be developed under a rapid development program in two months while another nine villages from Badulla District would also be developed,” he said.

All schools in the two districts with cadjan roofs would be given new roofs and new buildings too will be constructed under this project, the official said.

In addition electrified fences to prevent elephants foraging into villages in the Moneragala and Badulla districts will be constructed with assistance from the Iranian Government to protect the lives of the people in the villages and to save their crops threatened by wild elephants.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-26)Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) members will be issued with electronic party identity cards. The new electronic identification system was launched on Wednesday (23) at a ceremony held at Temple Trees and SLFP General Secretary Minister Maithripala Sirisena presented the first electronic identity card to incumbent SLFP leader President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Party membership believe that the new electronic identification system would help them ease the registration and maintaining of huge data bases with efficiency. According to Maithripala Sirisena, this new electronic identity card contains all the details of its owner.

This new identity card will be valid for in three years and thereafter the party expects to issue new cards. The party also plans to issue this electronic ID to its expatriate members. The issuing of electronic identity cards to all party members will be completed within one year.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-25)Chaminda PERERA and Shirley WIJESINGHE

Elections Commissioner Dayananda Dissanayake yesterday set August 8 as the date for the elections to the Uva Provincial Council. The UNP and the JVP were among the major political parties who handed in their nomination lists yesterday.

All nominations had been submitted by 12 noon yesterday. Badulla Returning Officer Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake said. The UPFA had already filed their nomination papers on Tuesday

Altogether 600 candidates representing main political parties and independent group are vying for 32 seats in the Uva Provincial Council.

The acceptance of nominations ended yesterday at the Badulla and Moneragala District Secretariats..

Over 336 candidates of 14 political parties and 96 candidates from four independent groups will enter the fray to secure 21 seats from the Badulla district while 112 candidates representing eight political parties and and 56 candidates representing for independent group will vie for 11 seats from the Moneragala district.

Fourteen political parties and 4 independent groups filed nominations before the Badulla District Returning Officer Rohana Keerthi Dissanayake. No nomination list was rejected in the Badulla District.

The UPFA , UNP, JVP, Up Country People’s Front are among the key parties contesting the Uva Provincial Council election from the Badulla district. The nomination list forwarded by the Janasetha Peramuna and an Independent group for the Moneragala district were rejected by the Moneragala District Returning Officer.

Eight main political parties including the UPFA, UNP, JVP and United Socialist Party will contest the election from the Moneragala district.

Uva Paranagama SLFP Chief Organiser and Former Chief Minister of the Uva Province A. H. Buddhadasa will lead the list in the Badulla district while Basnayaka Nilame of the Kataragama Devalaya Shashindra Kumara Rajapaksa will head the Moneragala district group..

Over 500,000 voters are eligible to vote in the Badulla district and over 300,000 in the Moneragala.

A peaceful atmosphere prevailed during yesterday’s handing in of nominations with no incidents reported .(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-24)Rs. 1,058m worth projects for displaced children’s education

Concurrent to the Uthuru Vasanthaya Northern Development Program launched by the Government to bring normality to the lives of people displaced from terrorism in the North, the Government has launched projects worth Rs. 1,058 million to provide higher education facilities to children of the displaced funded by the ADB and the World Bank.

This follows a survey which gathered information about students who have missed their higher education due to the conflict in the North, the Education Ministry said.

The Ministry said under this program, a Rs. 23 million project has been launched to restart higher education courses at the Jaffna and Vavuniya Universities while Rs. 90.33 million would be spent to put up a hostel for medical students at the Jaffna University.

Construction work on an academic and administrative building costing Rs. 609.89 million has started at the Jaffna Institute of Higher Technological Education.

Another Rs. 30 million has been set apart to improve the quality of existing courses and introduction of new courses at this Technological Institute while Rs. 14.45 million has been earmarked for improvement of its infrastructure facilities, the Ministry said.

Steps have also been taken to set up a new Institute of Higher Technology at Vavuniya costing Rs. 65 million and another Rs. 60 million had been allocated for improvement of basic facilities at the new university at Vavuniya due to be completed in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry said programs costing Rs. 576 million launched to bring about a qualitative improvement in the country’s Higher Education field would be completed before next year.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-23)The first-ever tea factory in the Hambantota district under the patronage of the Southern Development Authority will be inaugurated at Handugala in Walasmulla on June 27.

Basic infrastructure facilities for the factory have been completed at Rs. 12.5 million and another Rs. 45 million has been spent on the factory by the Yolta Tea Company.

This tea factory once commissioned, will have the capacity to produce 5,000 kilograms of tea per day.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-06-22)Rasika SOMARATHNE

President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday asserted that Sri Lanka’s future economic strategies would be based on “home-grown” policies which would supplement the unique needs of the country. Addressing new recruits to the national planning service of the Finance and Planning Ministry at Temple Trees, the President emphasised that strategies should be developed by locals who have a thorough understanding of the ground realities with the intention of projecting what’s best for the country.

He noted that economic strategies should focus on nurturing innovation and growth with the intention of spreading the gains to all corners of the country in achieving equity in development. Categorizing certain rural villages with the tag of underdeveloped should not exist in the future, the President said.

He urged the newly-appointed to act with self-confidence and commitment to come up with their own vision of how to develop the country. The same old habit of working from an accepted blueprint should not be followed, he added.

President Rajapaksa said the time when economic strategists were planned in five star comforts in deciding the country’s future course of action was over. These would be done by people who truly care for the country and its future prosperity, he added.

The President also emphasized that it was the responsibility of State sector employees to come together to rebuild the nation and recover the momentum lost over the past three decades due to the menace of terrorism.

He said the State sector had gone from strength to strength under this Government.

“When we came to power there was a plan to cut down the State sector to just 600,000, but we did not heed the call, and as a result the total number of employees today has grown to over 1.1 million.”

Six hundred and fifty six new recruits from all corners of the country got new appointments to the service which is larger than the existing number which is 616. Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya was also present.(2009-06-22)

(2009-06-20)Ranjith PADMASIRI

Investigations have revealed that the bomb that was exploded at the Pittala Junction in Kollupitiya
targeting Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has been brought to Colombo from Kilinochchi in a
vehicle belonging to CARE International, an INGO, the Kotahena Police informed the Colombo Chief
Magistrate Court yesterday.
The vehicle and all suspects involved in transporting the bomb have been taken into custody.The police also produced before Chief Magistrate Nishantha Hapuarachchi a copy of the detention signed
by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Defence Minister order in respect of Chandrabose Selvachandran
alias Michael alias Selvarasa.Kotahena Police also informed the Court that the Police have detained suspects Sivalingam Arunan,
Patmanathan Iiyer Sriskandaraja Sharma and Arunasalam Arumugam Perumal at the Foreshore Police Station
for further investigations in connection with this assassination attempt.While Dharmalingam Dharmadaran and Rasiah Kannan, employees of CARE International have transported the
bomb from Kilinochchi to Colombo, Sivalingam Arunan had been looking for a safe place to keep it. When
a safe house was found through one of his friends at Rudra Mawatha, Wellawatte the bomb had been
transported in a CARE International van and buried there. Later, it was transported to Modera and fixed
to the three-wheeler of the suicide cadre Lateef Mohamed Faris.The other parts that were fixed to the bomb had also been transported to Colombo in the same vehicle
belonging to the above INGO.Police also informed the Court that the vehicle will be handed over to the Government Analyst to obtain
a report whether it has transported explosives.The Magistrate ordered that Ponnasamy Karthigesu who had facilitated the purchase of the three- wheeler
used in the suicide blast to be further remanded till July 2009.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-23)Lakshmi DE SILVA

The National Flag flutters all over the country today and this was the first time that I am addressing a public rally with thousands of national flags displayed but we should remember that the freedom to hoist the flag from Dondra Head to Point Pedro was given to us by thousands of our valiant Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives to liberate the country.

We should also remember that the breath of the fallen war heroes are blown on the national flag whenever and wherever we hoist it, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said in his address to the mass rally held to felicitate the valiant members of the armed forces yesterday. The rally held at the Parliament ground, Kotte was a sea of heads with over 200,000 people present.

The victory we had won was not won on a bed of roses but at great and supreme sacrifice of our valiant Armed Forces who sometimes did not get the opportunity to change their uniforms for weeks, they fought in the ditches, floods and had to destroy embankments over twelve feet or cross lagoons but they did not give up till the final victory over the terrorists was achieved and the country brought under the national flag, he said.

In 1956 there were five forces or groups called the Pancha Maha Balavegaya, Sanga, Veda, Guru,Govi, Kamkaru, but today we have another force Ranaviru and today it had become the Shad Maha Balavegaya or six forces, the President noted.

When the decision to defeat terrorism was made I had to face obstacles of not only the terrorists and their supporters at home and abroad and I had to debunk the myth that the terrorist group was an invincible indomitable war machine.

However, the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya, commanders of the three Armed Forces Sarath, Wasanth, Roshan and other senior defence officials were towers of strength and all the members of the forces and the people of the country stood behind the decision to defeat terrorism. It was due to that conviction and cooperation that we were able to defeat the terrorists, he said.

When we rejoice the victory of the armed forces we have to remember that it was our duty to help and look after the families of the members of the Armed Forces who had sacrificed their lives for the country.

It was not only duty to remember that we should provide everything those families needed though we cannot give back the valiant men or women who had given their lives for the Motherland.

We should protect the freedom they had won for us and the memorial for the fallen members of the Forces in front of the Parliament was erected there to remind the legislators about those heroic persons he said.

All people of the country loved this country but over a long period that love was hidden or killed by certain elements who said that the country should be divided and a portion given to the terrorist as already an agreement to that effect had been signed.

But we had to make that difficult decision and we stood together with the people who cooperated with us. Now we have won and the next challenge before us to develop the country and I assure you that I will fulfill that task just as I fulfilled the task of defeating terrorism. But like during the humanitarian operations I need the cooperation of the public, he noted

We have forgiven those sections who made all kinds of allegations against us and threatened to drag us before international tribunals but we started the effort to liberate the country prepared not only to go up to one gallows but even to ten the President said to the cheering crowd.

He said even the international community who were opposed to the war against terrorists were praising us today.

Now it was our turn to build our nation declaring war on corruption, waste, drugs and other social evils by taking on the sharks who were behind such evils.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-22)"At a time when we seek to embrace all of our people as members of a single nation, the celebration of this victory, as deep as it is felt, should be expressed with magnanimity and friendship towards all," states President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the celebrations currently taking place throughout the country.

Ensuring that the nation's outpouring of joy at the defeat of terrorism, leaves no room for anyone's feelings to be hurt in any manner is the greatest tribute we can pay to our Motherland, President adds.
Here is text of the President's statement:

To a people battered and bruised by terrorism for more than three decades, its convincing defeat is a genuine cause for celebration, that we see take place with spontaneity throughout our land.

At a time when we seek to embrace all of our people as members of a single nation, the celebration of this victory, as deep as it is felt, should be expressed with magnanimity and friendship towards all.

As the National Flag is raised throughout the land in joyous celebration, I see it as the duly of all to ensure that all differences that hitherto divided our people are subsumed in the great and momentous joy that is shared by us all.

Ensuring that the nation's outpouring of joy at the defeat of terrorism, leaves no room for anyone's feelings to be hurt in any manner is the greatest tribute we can pay to our Motherland.

Let us all stand together, strong and united in victory.

Mahinda Rajapaksa

Courtesy: Presidential Secretariat- Colombo(defence.lk)

(2009-05-21)Gotabhaya Rajapaksa

War heroes have won for us not only the Motherland but also National dignity, said Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa addressing a gathering of relatives of war heroes at the Regional Army Headquarters in Boossa, Galle on Tuesday. He expressed the gratitude of the President, the Government and his own to the war heroes for their contribution to the humanitarian operations.

The Defence Secretary told the relatives of the war heroes that the whole country has been freed from terrorism and all leaders of the LTTE have been destroyed. The value of the sacrifice made by the war heroes could be understood if we compare the magnitude of the loss of lives and property suffered by the country, he added. Prior to the humanitarian mission there were areas in the country where the Security Forces or the Police could not enter and the LTTE had amassed enormous military hardware including artillery, boats, submarines in those areas, he said.The strength of the terrorist could be measured by the stock of arms and ammunitions they had and from the international pressures that were exerted upon the Government on their behalf, the Defence Secretary expla-ined.

The victory achieved by the Security Forces under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was possible due to the sacrifices committed by the fallen war heroes, the Defence Secretary told their relatives. Though their loss cannot be replaced the best that could be done is consolidate the victory won, he added.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-20)Defeat of LTTE will never be the defeat of the Tamil people:

The victory we have gained by defeating LTTE is the victory of this nation, and the victory of all people living in this country, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the ceremonial opening of Parliament yesterday (May 19, 2009) “The defeat of the LTTE and the breakdown of their armed strength will never be the defeat of the Tamil people of this country,” he added.

“It is necessary for us to state with great responsibility, that we do not accept a military solution as the final solution. Similarly, when we see the sad faces of the people who have been fleeing from the Puthumathalan area, we can realize that a document offered on a tray as a political solution could also not be the final solution ... It is necessary that we find a solution that is our very own, of our own nation. It should be a solution acceptable to all sections of the people,” he said.

The President appealed to the expatriates who have left our motherland due to terrorism, especially the Tamil people, to return. He specially called upon Sri Lankan engineers, doctors, accountants and other professions living in various countries, to return to the motherland and contribute to its development.

Ending terrorism in Sri Lanka means a victory for democracy in the world. Sri Lanka has now given a beginning to the ending of terrorism in the world, the President said. Reminding the people that this country was saved by the blood, eyes, limbs, flesh and lives of our young people, he said this land cannot be betrayed or allowed to be sold.

“I also extend the honour and gratitude of the nation to Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, the Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, Navy Commander Admiral Vasantha Karannagoda, Air Force Commander Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunatilleke, as well as the Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickremeratne, and the Director General of the Civil Defence Force Sarath Weerasekera, who worked tirelessly to give this great victory to the motherland,” President Rajapaksa added.

“We have been victorious in facing one challenge. Time is now raising a new challenge before us. It is the challenge of building the motherland. From now all, everyone should change in keeping with the needs of facing up to that challenge, too,” he said.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-20)Chandrika Perera and Mahinda Kulatunaga

Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka yesterday confirmed that the body of LTTE leader V. Prabhakaran
was found yesterday.
According to defence sources, the LTTE leader who has ordered thousands of Tamil youth to give up their
lives for him had tried to save his life until the last moment. The terror chief’s body was found by
the 53 Division troops led by Major General Kamal Gunaratne, the sources said.
The body was found near the Nanthikadal lagoon by soldiers of the 53 Division commanded by Major
General Kamal Gunaratane. Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said that Prabhakaran had died due to
gun shot injury to his head.
The Army had found his Identity Card and passport in his body. Earlier the bodies of senior LTTE cadres
Pottu Amman, Soosai, Pulithevan and Prabhakaran’s son, Charles Anthony, Ramesh and P. Nadesan who died
during the time of the final confrontation between the Armed Forces and the LTTE were found. Altogether
about 350 bodies of LTTE cadres who died in the confrontation were found.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-19)WIJITHA NAKKAWITA

The Service Chiefs formally informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday that the country had regained its full independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty after the defeat of the LTTE terrorist group.

At a solemn ceremony held at Temple Trees yesterday the Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Chief Marshall Donald Perera, Army Commander Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka, Air Force Commander Air Marshall Roshan Gunatilaka, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda the Inspector General of Police Jayantha Wickremaratne and Director General Civil Security Department Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera officially informed the President that the military operations in the country had come to a conclusion.

At 6.35 in the evening Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa who led the commanders of the three forces informed President Mahinda Rajapaksa that the final military operation against the LTTE terrorist group had reached its conclusion with the defeat of the LTTE. The service commanders, also reported the completion of their mission..

Present at the solemn occasion were Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka, President’s Secretary Lalith Weeratunga, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa MP, and several ministers, Member of Parliament and Government officials.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa will address the nation today on the liberation of the country from terrorism after more than thirty years.(dailynews.lk)

(2009-05-19)Ranil WIJAYAPALA in Vellamullivaikkal, Mullaitivu

The last inch of land under the control of LTTE was liberated by the valiant Security Forces. This totally eliminated all top LTTE leaders, and the balance terrorist cadres trapped inside when troops foiled their last bid to escape from the Safe Zone in the early hours of yesterday disguising as civilians.

Many bodies of top level Tiger leaders including that of Charles Anthony, the elder son of Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman, Military leaders Jeyam and Lakshman, Political Wing leader Nadesan, Peace Secretariat Chief S. Puleedevan, Black Tiger leader Ratnam Master and LTTE Police Chief Ilango were identified among hundreds of Tiger cadres killed during the fierce battle that erupted in Karayanmullivaikkal area in the early hours of yesterday.

Vineetha, the Sinhala wife of the LTTE Political Wing Leader and former LTTE Police Chief Nadesan was also among the killed along with hundreds of Tiger cadres.

The military were busy looking for the body of Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran who was also believed to have been killed during the fierce battle that raged in the early hours of yesterday.

They broke into military controlled areas after breaching the 53 Division defences after launching a number of suicide attempts but troops of the 58 Division and the 53 Division were able to surround them after laying a siege of the area to which the Tiger cadres had entered.

"Troops of the 58 and 53 Divisions with the support of the Special Forces and Commando troops were able to foil the Tiger attempt to escape by killing almost all Tiger cadres trapped there," a senior military official added.

Their attempt was to escape either towards the jungle patches of Mullaitivu or by sea. But troops of the 58 Division foiled that attempt after establishing two defence lines covering the A-35 road.

More than 250 Tiger bodies were collected from the area by yesterday evening as troops continued further search and clear operations to eliminate Tiger cadres who were in hiding.

The troops were able to fully liberate the areas under LTTE control after liberating more than 82,000 civilians from the newly declared No Fire Zone within the past five days.

It was a huge sigh of relief for the Security Forces in the Mullaitivu front as they were able to liberate the entire area under Tiger control in the Vanni after engaging in the Vanni liberation operation for more than two years.(defence.lk)

(2009-05-18)Sri Lankan army elites and infantrymen of 53, 58 and 59 Divisions have foiled the LTTE's last attempt to evacuate its top leaders this morning (May 18). According to the latest battlefield reports, soldiers have located over 150 bodies of LTTE cadres so far. The process of identifying the terrorist bodies is in progress.

With this attack LTTE has lost all its key positions and its remnants are now limited to tiny pockets scattered in the Karayamullavaikkal area, the sources said. All army units are now engaged in the final mop up operations.

LTTE terrorists made their final bid to evacuate its leaders early this morning as army elites pierced in to the last remaining LTTE foothold last night. The terrorist have managed took hold of two vehicles and believed to have put their senior leaders into those vehicles before they started moving northwards. According to the available information army elites and 53 Division soldiers have intercepted and crushed the terrorist move after fierce fighting.

Troops have so far identified bodies of Charles Anthony, the eldest son of LTTE chief V.Prabhakaran , B. Nadesan, LTTE's political head, S. Pulidevan , LTTE's head of peace secretariat, S. Ramesh, A special military leader, Kapil Amman, LTTE's deputy intelligence leader, Sudarman , the aide to Prabhakarn's son, Rathnam Master , a black tiger leader and Ilango, another senior LTTE leader.

More information will follow...(defence.lk)

(2009-05-18)Sri Lankan Special Forces soldiers have found bodies of three key LTTE leaders identified as Nadeshan, Pulidevan and Ramesh during the mop-up operations in the last LTTE foothold this morning( May 18). According to the latest information, the remaining LTTE cadres are now boxed into a 100m x 100m area, North of Vellamullivaikkal.

Nadeshan who was a former police constable of Sri Lanka police and known to be the political head of the outfit. Pulidevan was known to the head of "LTTE peace secretariat" while Ramesh was one of the most senior special military leader of the outfit.(defence.lk)