Claymore found at Summit Flats

The Airforce has found a claymore mine near Summit Flats close to TNA MP Sivajilingham's house. The Air Force Commander's residence is also in close proximity.

The Price of Vigilance and Living in Terror

The news items followed after the Blast in Nugegoda, apart giving out different death tolls had one thing in common. That was the message from Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara asking the public to be vigilant and noticed any suspicious activity or parcel to notify the Police, and not to act on their own.

"So what if you see a suspicious parcel, notify the authorities and half an hour later your still looking at the bloody parcel waiting for the cops."

This is not a hypothetical situation. This was the actual situation at the site of No-Limit, the Clothing Store where there Blast occurred in Nugegoda. After waiting for 30 mins, for the Kohuwela police who are literally next door, the security guards together with a Traffic Cop decided to do their own poking.

As to whether the Bomb was on a timer, or whether it was detonated using a Mobile phone or some sort of a remote by an unsuspecting Terrorist silently watching all this happen we are yet to know. It's easy for us to blame the poor security guards, but what about the response time of the so called emergency unit.

Anyway, what I want to focus on this is not who to blame, and how this matter can be resolved as we all have our own opinions on that. I just wanted to stress the fact that, after some time I think it was the Kebtigallawa Massacre, (which seems like ages to us as everything becomes second nature to us) the LTTE or the Cowardly Pussies (as identified by some in the blogsphere, including my self) have resorted to targeting civilians, after a host of missed attempts on high profilers.

Upto now we happy go lucky folk were pretty much ok, although bombs went off in our backyard, it was targeted at some bugger who wizez past in a couple of Range Rovers accompanied by about 10 Defenders (just the AD for the Rover Company one would think). To get caught in one of those bombs, you really have to be unlucky. A by-stander on the road, a motorist on the opposite lane of traffic etc.

But when these buggers start dropping off parcels at Sunday Polas and Shopping Complex's your chances of getting bumped off are more. Very much more than a Guy in a Sarong, with a Crimson shawl around his neck traveling in a Level 3 Armour'ed RR. What I am trying to say is that while certain Ministers may point out that these are the last tactics of the Tigers, blah blah, while there might be some truth to it, you cant take away the fact that the terror has moved from our back yard to our door step. The very fact that schools were closed and Liberty Plaza was sweep'ed for bombs are mere examples of this. After all that parcel could have been delivered to ODEL, House of Fashion or your door step.

Blast in Nugegoda - Sri Lanka

Just received news of a Blast at the Nugegoda Junction. No news of casualties and who (if any) was the target of the Explosion.

Will update when I hear more... Looks like there will be some post celebrations by the Big Kitty after all.

UPDATE

The Sirasa Breaking news reads as a Vehicle near the Nugegoda Traffic lights exploded and caused a fire (Duh..). There is no indication whether this is a terrorist activity or a merely car blowing up.

Now what are the odds of that?

Meanwhile I'm stuck at work, as the roads are jammed with Traffic, with commuters shifting to alternative routes.

UPDATE 2

Appearently it's not an explosion in a Car at all. Supposedly some bloke had handed over a Parcel to Security Guard at the New Shopping Complex near The Nugegoda/Highlevel Road Traffic Lights. When accepting/poking the parcel they suspect the explosion to have occurred.

The Cat Survies the Blast in Narahenpita - Sri Lanka

Douglas Devananda, who shall be referred to as the "Cat" here after (by me for successfully surviving a good 9 times of more) survived another attack on his life this morning. This time it was a female suicide bomber, apparently appearing to be a polio/handicapped patient. Well the bomber was stopped at the entrance to his office, and she had 2 options available :

• Get Caught -or-
  
• Go with a out BANG!

Obviously choosing the latter, she took the lives of 2 other security men of Dougy, and seriously injured a few. The fatalities could have increased if she had gotten any closer, being an Open Day for public to meet the "Cat" himself and discuss what ever issues they had.

Are we prepared for war?

For a long time since the mistakes made like Black July, Sri Lankans as a whole have come to the realization of the hard truth that this Ethnic Conflict (which in my books is more a power struggle, the true ethnic conflict was over way before the 2nd or 3rd Ealam War started) cannot be won by war, but a negotiated peace settlement. Atleast that's what the majority believed, including my self.

However if you haven't noticed together with the media, there is a small hype being created for continued war. Specially with this nonsensical brandishing of the Thoppigala victory. Either I'm dumb or can anybody see where all this is heading? Isn't it what you call Politicalisation of the War, and those who sacrficed their lives for the war.

This is how I see it :

Mahinda made loads of promises ("Chinthanaya") that he hasn't been able to deliver. People are sick of the rising cost of every bloody consumable known to us, that there basically sick of this Govt. In order to shift our focus, this chap is putting this war in our faces, with the help of nearly all media stations and todays "Mini Independence" ceremony.

I mean what is he trying to say :

"That this war CAN be won, and to keep HIM in power come election time".

What does he really mean :

"You fools as long as I can get you to believe that this war can be won, this war can be justified. So can the spending on my Range Rovers, the cut I have from the MIG's and flying my wife and children in a Helicopter from Kandy to Colombo on a daily basis. After all there is a war going on! So my stupid mistakes in governance and policy making can be covered up."

The sad truth is :

Mahinda (if he has his way) is not going to end this war, like many chaps in the armed forces want to, but pro-long it for another 10 years by which time he would have completed his second term as Exec President and probably have one of the members of the Rajapakse clan running for President. Just to ensure the continuity of their power, and the down fall of Sri Lanka as what we know it.


And courtesy of those plans he presents to you "Nagenahira Navodaya"


3 Days of inconveniencing public with road blocks, waisting the time setting up security check points around the premises, where these chaps should be stationed in Thoppigala, guarding what we won (or is the agreement that we have to hand it over after the celebrations..), the millions of public funds waisted on a stupid show off that could be done with.

My opinion :

What ever celebrations should be done in Thoppigala. Not in Colombo. Not because it's going to inconvenience me, but it's the folks in Thoppigala who deserve the celebrations, after all they were the one's who lost their homes during the battle. It's the soldiers who gave there lives who deserve the Honour, not the president and his cronies. It's their families that should get the money, that is being spent, and the celebrations should be for those soldiers who fought extreme hardship to win the battle.


Ranil's boo boo :

Yup he does it again. While trying to give out the same message what does he go and do? Calls Thoppigala a "Jungle". While on the outset it is, calling it is only going to rub salt in the eyes of the Soldiers who fought for it, and he's basically putting his neck (I was thinking of something more graphic... but then again) out between the door, and giving the Govt the opportunity to slam the door on it! Just like the "Chewing Gum and Bracelet Story".

All I can say is that all this stupid crap is turning people. Specially those in the rural areas (who were initially brain washed by him in the first place.. then after the election realized that they them selves were the suckers...) who thought of a negotiated peace settlement are now telling them selves.. "Ok so if we won Thoppigala.. we might as well finish the rest!"


As for the reality of that happening will all have to wait and see... and this blog post will remain here.. as it doesn't have to it's breath.


Pic Courtesy of : Daily Mirror

Thoppigala.. Jungle or LTTE Strong Hold

Yesterday saw the fall of Thoppigala or Barron's Cap. Firstly our hats out to those who fought bravely and also a moment to mourn those who fell, for their motherland.

Now we have to deal with the comments after the big win.

1. Is Thoppigala just a Forrest like Opposition Leader Ranil W. says?
2. Are we going to spend more defending Thoppigala?
3. Was this all a put on show by Mahinda and Prabhakaran?

To start with the last question first, my political knowledge is not enough to comprehend the buy-outs and sell-outs between the two parties. However LankaWhistleBlower has the details of the Mahinda-Prabhakaran deal.

With regard to the Second Question, only time would tell, how many of our soldiers will fall keeping those FDL's.

Now to the first and most important question in my opinion. What is Thoppigala to us? And what is it's worth?

The Govt. implies it's one of the security fortresses of the LTTE, and all their equipping of Suicide-Bomb Trucks are carried out there. There was also some indication that the cannabis that the LTTE use to trade for their weapons are grown in those jungles, thereby cutting some of there cash flow.

For the people living around Thoppigala, you'd have to ask them who'd they prefer as a Neighbour.

As a firm believer of "This War Cannot be Won", I believe this is going to play a bigger role in pushing/pressurizing the LTTE into Peace Talks. Which in turn is the right track to settling this conflict.



UPDATE : A detailed account on the mission to free the east, and the Thoppigala victory can be found here.

Is the TRUTH out there?

There was a report by the LTTE and subsiquently all Foreign Media sources picked up on it about an Attack on the Pallaley Air Force Base in Sri Lanka.

This is a snippet on what the LTTE carried out. (I dont like linking to TamilNet, so therefore I'm just going to take a snippet off their site.)

Two attack aircraft of the Liberation Tigers bombed the Sri Lankan military’s main base complex in the Jaffna peninsula in the early hours of Tuesday morning, inflicting heavy damage and casualties, LTTE military spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan told TamilNet. Both planes returned safely to base, he said. Meanwhile sources said continuous explosions were heard from inside the High Security Zone for five hours after the air raid, fuelling speculation that a major ammunition dump had been hit.

However the SL Govt, have categoraly denied the statement, and issued their statement, saying it was artillery fire , and that too away from the Pallay Base.

The Sri Lanka Air Force denied the statement of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) that the Tamil Tiger air planes bombed the Palali air strip by using their propeller driven two fixed winged air craft and called it a complete fabrication. But military sources said by artillery fire six soldiers died at Myladdi , away from Palali air strip.

Reuters carried both version of the story :

• LTTE favoured.
• SL Army favoured.

This either another blown up set up by the LTTE propaganda machine, to justify the moola rolling in from TRO and other dim-wittted LTTEsympathisers, for their new light aircrafts, reportadley manned by the junior prabha him self.

On the other hand, this might be a cover-up by the local army chaps, in-order to show face despite the serious security lapses being brought to light.

What ever the case, my hind-sight tells me that the Happy-Go-Lucky Islanders (specially in the south) have bigger things to worry about at this moment. No it's not the increasing price of fuel, and the domino effect on consumer goods, it's the plight of Sri Lanka at today's World Cup Semi-Final. :)

Blast in Kollupitiya

I have received news that there has been a blast in Kollupitiya, Colombo 3. The blast has occurred in Dharmapala Mw., (opposite City Bank) and people have been brought to the National Hospital.


A Govt Minister has been the target I hear. --> Ghotabaya Rajapakse - Defense Secretary.


News Update - http://www.army.lk/

They say that Ghotabaya Rajapakse has escaped unhurt, or at least alive at this time.

Friends, Enemies and Countrymen

Taken off the Asian Tribune. By Dayan Jayatilleka

Post war Italy’s most respected political and legal philosopher was Norberto Bobbio, who died a few years ago. A liberal leftist in orientation, he nonetheless endorsed and considered foundational, the work of a thinker of very different ideological persuasion, Carl Schmitt. The political theorising of Carl Schmitt, a conservative Catholic who initially opposed and then supported the Nazi state, was so brilliantly pioneering, that he is acknowledged (and taught) as a seminal political theorist, just as his contemporary Martin Heidegger, who had a similar political past, is widely respected as one of the most important philosophers of the 20th century.

Many contemporary Leftists - Marxists and post Marxists such as those around the journal TELOS and political theorist Chantal Mouffe- have rediscovered and appropriated Carl Schmitt’s insights, resulting in a school of thought dubbed ‘left Schmittian’. Schmitt’s best known conceptualisation is that the defining characteristic of politics and warfare is the distinction between friend and enemy. This definition is independently echoed by Mao Zedong around the same time, when he identified the key question as ‘who are our friends, who are our enemies?’

Norberto Bobbio refers to Schmitt and in his 1997 work Left and Right, develops this definition. According to Bobbio, there are only four basic positions which are possible in serious politics, deriving from Schmitt’s duality: friend/enemy. Bobbio’s fourfold categorisation is:

• Enemy’s Enemy
• Enemy’s Friend
• Friend’s Enemy
• Friend’s Friend

What then is the picture that emerges when this matrix is applied to the contemporary Sri Lankan conflict?

Enemy

The enemy is the LTTE which seeks to dismember Sri Lanka as a country and a state (and expand beyond what could reasonably be claimed as an ethnic homeland). The LTTE engages in terrorism of the worst sort, entailing assassination of democratic political leaders, suicide bombings and the witting targeting of civilians. The LTTE is also a formation which bears at least a family resemblance to fascism. It is therefore the enemy. This enemy is waging a war of aggression, an unjust war. (In his Just and Unjust Wars, the prominent, left-liberal, just war theorist Michael Walzer defines aggression as the violation of the territorial integrity or political sovereignty of a nation–state).

Friend

The country is kept together by the State. This would be so whatever its character. Sri Lanka is a sovereign democratic state, a legitimate authority and actor (unlike the LTTE). We are afforded a defence from anarchy, some form of representation and a minimum of civilised life by the state, which is a democratic state; a democratic republic.

At the heart of the state, any state, are the armed forces.

At the apex of the state is the executive.

The state is waging a defensive war to protect the country. For the reasons just mentioned – legitimate authority and defensive war - the war fought by the Sri Lankan state is a Just War.

When the state is at war and society stands threatened, the rights and freedoms that obtain in peacetime may temporarily be circumscribed or suspended. This is in a situation other than of normalcy; it is that situation described by Carl Schmitt as ‘the exception’. Who decides on which situation is exceptional? "Sovereign is he who decides on the exception" says Schmitt, referring to the Executive.

While it is greatly advisable, preferable and to be recommended, that war should be waged in a moral manner (and this, as Fidel would have it, is an imperative for liberation struggles and movements), the words of the great Karl Von Clausewitz, who (as Lenin acknowledged) knew these things, cannot be readily discounted:

“Of course moral scruples and legal principles may, by lucky accident, happen to coincide with the intelligent application of force to gain an objective. But of themselves, in the nature of things, they can have no direct effect on the conduct or the outcome of war”. (Clausewitz, On War)

That having been said, our common humanity demands as a moral absolute, the eschewing of deliberate - as distinct from accidental or coincidental – lethal targeting of unarmed, non-combatant civilians.

In Sri Lanka the executive is directly elected by the people. It is the most unmediated expression of popular sovereignty, unlike even the American executive in the election of which the Electoral College plays a crucial part.

Furthermore in Sri Lanka the executive can be elected only by a plurality i.e. 50.1%, unlike in many countries (say, Nicaragua) where one may be elected president with less than 40% of the vote.

In a distortion, President Jayewardene initially elevated himself to the presidency without an election (1978) and was re-elected while his main opponent had been disenfranchised. However this was not so in the case of his successors Ranasinghe Premadasa, Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and now Mahinda Rajapakse, whose wielding of executive power was not lacking in legitimacy.

No democrat can therefore fail to classify the elected president of Sri Lanka as friend, and by the same logic, no one who classifies, regards or treats him (or earlier, her) as enemy, could in turn be classified as democrat or ‘friend’, and may indeed have to be regarded as objectively serving as ‘friend’s enemy’ or worse still, ‘enemy’s friend’.

The main duality that structures the Sri Lankan reality then, is the opposition – and it is an armed opposition- between the LTTE and the State.

Enemy’s Enemy

The enemy, the LTTE’s main enemy is the Sri Lankan state. Its secondary enemies are the anti-Tiger Tamil organisations, chiefly the Karuna faction (TMVP) and the EPDP, because these are the most consequential military and political opponents of the tigers. The other anti-Tiger groups, PLOTE and EPRLF are but residual, and the TULF is unarmed. Thus the enemy’s enemies are the Sri Lankan state – with the armed forces and the executive at its core – and the TMVP and EPDP.

Enemy’s Friend

Those who regard or refer to the LTTE uncritically: the TNA, some prominent elements of the UNP, the so-called peace lobby, one newspaper and perhaps an electronic media organization or two; externally some parties in Tamil Nadu.

Friend’s Enemy

The LTTE and those who, in this situation in which Prabhakaran prepares for his grand slam, treat the armed forces and/or the elected executive as the main enemy or the enemy or co-equal to the LTTE: the TNA, a stratum of the UNP, the so-called peace lobby, extremist Tamil Nadu politicians, some journalists local and foreign.

Friend’s Friend

According to all opinion polls, this would embrace the clear majority of the country’s citizens. Also the SLFP, many UNP MPs and most UNP voters (who probably identify with that party’s Deputy leader Karu Jayasuriya, a former volunteer Army officer who served in Jaffna), the JVP, the JHU, the bulk of the Buddhist clergy, most journalists in print and electronic media.

In this exceptional and extreme historical situation of existential threat it is incumbent upon all who are participants, observer-participants or simply commentators on the conflict to be aware that there are only these four standpoints or roles that can be played - deriving from the two main positions - whatever their subjective views and self-perceptions. There are no intermediate, neutral, or above- the-fray positions that can objectively, historically and concretely be occupied.

Four Thousand Traitors

Throughout this island’s recorded history, the recurrent and crucial factor in all defeats suffered, has been the presence of internal fissures and factionalism and the role of traitors. Therefore it is of critical importance to estimate the extent of this factor, as Prabhakaran sets the stage for his all-out offensive.

There are only 3,500-4,000 traitors in Southern Sri Lanka. The upper figure was the most generous estimate in the international media of Monday’s demonstration in Colombo. We should be thankful to the organisers of the march, ostensibly to protest the killing of parliamentarian Nadaraja Raviraj, but in actuality a demonstration marked by the most lurid charges against the Sri Lankan state and society: "stop killing Tamils! Open the A-9!" A garrulous woman even described the Southern areas such as Colombo as under fascism while denying that the Tiger controlled areas were!

These demonstrators, a conglomeration of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), the Trotskyist Left, the so-called Antiwar Front, an MP each from the UNP and SLFP, and the Free Media Movement (FMM), represent the sum total of treachery, behind our lines. The Trotskyist banner (which reminded me why Stalin chose to bury the hatchet so to speak with old Leon, just before he had to deal with the Nazi threat) characterised Mr Raviraj as one who “built an alliance with the Left and fought for Tamil liberation”. Now that would be an accurate description of many non-Tiger and anti-Tiger Tamils, ranging from K Pathmanabha right up to Kethesh Loganathan, all of whom were killed by the Tigers! Except for those who died in combat, all those Tamils who "fought for Tamil liberation in alliance with the Left" were assassinated by the LTTE and none by the ‘terrorist’ state! However I did not see these Trotskyists such as Dr Wickremebahu (bootha) Karunaratne carrying this banner at their funerals!

The ‘National’ Antiwar Front, or more accurately the Anti National Anti War Front, or even more accurately the Anti National Pro (Prabhakaran’s) War Front carried a banner which hailed Mr Raviraj as "one who would be vindicated as a patriot by History". While that is debatable to say the least, I did not see photographs of these worthy citizens unfurling this same banner at Kethesh Loganathan’s funeral. Jehan Perera is quoted by Somini Sengupta of the New York Times as describing Kethesh’s style as ‘adversarial’ (which implies that Kethesh provoked his own death), but I have yet to read a line from him which describes Raviraj’s TV performances as being the same or even more so!

As we face Prabhakaran’s decisive ‘Final War’ over the coming weeks and months, we now know how large the Fifth Column is, how many collaborators with Tiger fascism we have amongst us and who they are. Luckily, they aren’t that many.

Galle Harbour Under Attack

The LTTE terrorists have launched an attack at the Galle harbour and SL Navy camp Dakshina at 7.45 this morning.

Three explosions have occurred in this attack. Naval troops are retaliating the LTTE attack and the exchange of fire is still on.

Few casualties have also been reported and they were rushed to the teaching hospital in Karapitiya.

Reinforcement are been sent to the location.

More info will follow.

Source - www.defence.lk

Suicide bombing at Sri Lankan port

COLOMBO - Suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bombers Wednesday infiltrated the port of Galle in southern Sri Lanka and were attacking facilities there, defense spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP.

"The attack is going on at the moment and we have no reports of any commercial shopping areas being attacked," Rambukwella said. "Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission."

The spokesman said the military had sent gunboats into Galle -- a popular destination with foreign tourists -- to counter the attack by the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The military also maintains a base in the area and ammunition depots in Galle harbor, which is also used by commercial shipping companies.

Details of the attack were sketchy, but residents in Galle, located 110 kilometers south of the capital Colombo, said at least 10 explosions were heard and there was also gunfire in the area.

Police used loudspeakers to ask residents to leave their homes.

The attack on Galle came two days after a huge suicide bombing against a naval convoy in Sri Lanka that killed at least 103 people and wounded 150 others. AFP

Source - http://uw.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=53548

As you can see there is no end in sight. Even though both parties are scheduled for peace talks on the 28th. I'd hate to predict more violence in the upcoming week. Even in Colombo....

UPDATE - L.B.O.

COLOMBO, Oct 18, 2006 (AFP) - Suspected Tamil Tiger suicide bombers Wednesday infiltrated the port of Galle in southern Sri Lanka and attacked naval facilities, defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella told AFP.

Guerrillas in five boats broke into the habour and detonated powerful explosions, police said while reporting that two people were killed and 10 wounded in the early stages of the attack.

"The attack is going on at the moment," Rambukwella said. "Obviously they have come to Galle on a suicide mission."

He said there were no immediate reports of merchant shipping being attacked, but the naval facilities were under fire.

The spokesman said the military had sent gunboats into Galle -- a popular destination with foreign tourists -- to counter the attack by the rebel Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)....

Attack in Habaraba - 67 killed

LTTE terrorists rammed the Naval convoy at Digampatana in Habarana with an explosive laden vehicle around 1.30p.m today (Monday the 16th of October).

A huge explosion has occurred causing severe destruction to both naval personnel and the civilians in the area.

According to the latest information available at least 67 people were killed and over 60 people suffered serious injuries in the explosion. However, the sources said that the death toll and the casualty figures could be increased further.

The naval convoy comprising 15 buses were parked at the Diagmpatana rendezvous point at the time of the attack. Over 150 unarmed naval personnel who were going on leave were believed to be present at the location.

Hospital sources said five buses filled with the victims have reached the General hospital Dambulla. Those with critical injuries have immediately been air lifted to Colombo, Kurunegala and Kandy hospitals.

Source - http://defence.lk/

So is this the Start to Peace talks.. or is this what has been churning in the belly of those tigers?

Checkpoints Galore and a Claymore

The morning saw two Kudda’s (Druggies) finding a Claymore in their attempt to salvage metal off the rail tracks. Ironic isn’t it, with all the Police Patrols a Kudda has to go find (accidentally of course.. rumour is it that he actually started hammering at it till some other dude pointed out that it was actually more than 15 kilos of metal)

From where did I hear the breaking news? All the way from Australia I tell you. Technology has so freaking improved that I had to then switch on to the YesFM Online just in time to catch their hourly bulleting confirming this.

Anyways the Police not to be left out started a massive search operation on various roads entering the city, and basically any other placed that would cause a huge traffic jam and an inconvenience to the public. Yes I got caught to it on my way to Rathmalana and yes I tried many routes to avoid it but to no avail. Hence this post is in front of you. 

For the benefit of the reader I have attached a pic of a Claymore Mine(off Battlefield) so you too can identify these fancy metal objects dotted around the city on your next evening stroll.

More Killings. For Water??

10 or so Muslim civilians were found massacred repairing an Anicut in Ampara. As usual both parties are pointing at each other. Govt is holding the LTTE responsible, while the Tigers have been quick to point out a STF camp nearby. Usual story.

Who ever is responsible, innocent people who were repairing an Anitcut were killed, bringing the hold Mavil Aru situation back to my mind, where the LTTE were holding the anicut for sometime and stopping the flow of water to civilians in the area.

Is there going to be more blood shed for Water?

ICANN needs to take action against "Tamil Canadian"

So called Sri Lanka Army Site : http://www.srilankanarmy.com/


Just after I put up my previous post (Appointment of a Sri Lankan to the ICANN) I received an Email regarding a Sri Lankan Army web site.

I say now is this how the LTTE and their supporter’s are going to dish out mud against the GoSL and it's troops?

a) It's illegal in my knowledge to allow such a false front to operate..
b) Unethical. Not that they care.

Yes, if you haven't taken a look at the site, it's a nice little front of the Tamil Canadians. Click on any link and it directs to their site. There is absolutely nothing on the site. Except a bunch of links that lead back to Tamil Canadian. This site falsely guides people into the site thinking it's the SL Army site.

Sooner with more traffic to the site (which I have helped by posting their link) it’ll end up at the top of a Google Search.

I hope the Govt, and the ICANN with it's new Sri Lankan member will look into this. It's pretty obvious to any one.

For those of you who are wondering about the actually Army Site it's : http://www.army.lk/

I wrote to both the "Feedback" on the site and to Veri-Sign the dude's operating the .com Domains. I hope they will take some kind of notice.

Stratergic Victory over Mindless Acts of Violence

The Govt of Sri Lanka secured Sampur on the 4th of September. This was seen as a welcome turn of events proving the Govt's Military Power over the LTTE, as many of their attacks in Colombo took center stage in the Media. Unlike the mindless bombings and failed attempts of the LTTE, the Govt chose strategic targets to execute their goal. A blinded one may still argue that a Training Center is still an Orphanage, I will let you decide.

Sampur has lately proved to be a very huge threat as the LTTE acquired the ability to mount long range artillery attacks on Trinco Harbour from there. The victory at Sampur I'm sure will prove a Moral Booster for Govt Troops who were being teased and their patience tested all these days by the LTTE taking to account the numerous CFA violations.

A few points from the Govt Press Release regarding the take over are pasted below.

"The entire Sampur area is under the control of the Security Forces and the troops advanced and captured the heart of Sampur town and coastal areas in the early hours of yesterday. Ichalampattu, Kadakaracheru and Kattaparichan were taken under the control of the Security Forces at the beginning of this operation," Defense Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

"Our aim is not taking over or occupying the territory but neutralizing the artillery for the safety of civilians. There is the Prima Flour factory and an Indian Oil farm which are located close to the port. These locations and civilians are under immense risk and threat. Therefore we have to provide them security and safety," Minister Rambukwella said.

"The LTTE cadres have been attacking the Security Forces since August 27 from Sampur using artillery and mortars. The Security Forces retaliated the attacks for the sake of civilians, Army spokesman Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.

As a country our gratitude goes to those Brave Soldiers who sacrifice their lives for the sake of the Unity and Peace of this Country. Let spend a moment for those fallen hero’s as well.

I’ve included a picture posted by a certain “Suren” on one of my previous posts as a Tribute to our Heros.

Check Points in SL

Not be confused with the Production going on the boards this weekend - Check Point!

What is the practicality of all these check points imposed all over Colombo and the spot checks carried out at entry points to the city?

For most of us affected, it's merely a Traffic Jam and a bloody inconvenience. I mean realistically speaking, you don't find concealed bombs during these checks. Most of these are discovered by tip-off's of vigilant law abiding citizens. There is no way by holding the mirror under a car you are going to discover anything, except maybe the no of dents on your under carriage that you've accumulated going over "over-sized" speed bumps.

It gives the chaps a chance to have a good look at a Hot Chick driving her Maruti or Beemer. Get her to step out, open the boot, and check her "Boot" out.

If your Tamil, your in for trouble. As a ton of questions maybe fired at you, and watching you with skeptical eyes as you winch while answering them. Basically it's safe to get your self a Police Report. I experienced this, when one of my contractors was refused entry at a 5 star hotel, saying high security blah blah during SAG, just because he was Tamil. I know this is going to cause an uproar of people claiming "Discrimination" and all the works. Well taking the situation into account, I think you have to live with it. No I don't think all tamils are Terrorists, and I believe that all Terrorist's AREN'T Tamil either. Gives you something to think abt.

So what do these "Checkpoints" achieve besides the above?

It servers as a deterrent! The effort required to plan an attack would have increased. In some instances even avoid such attacks. Not that it gives you a true sense of peace of mind, but knowing that it wont be easy as the last time, gives you some satisfaction. Specially for people like my self, who are always on the move.

One thing I need to comment on is the Army H.Q. I am a firm believer that the attack on the Army Cmdr was plausible due to the simple fact of the lack of a metal detector at the entrance. This has been rectified (little too late), however additional measure of a ramp being installed in the location, to check vehicles entering the H.Q. is commendable, however the practicality of them will be something for us to see in the future.

On a last note, well I'd like to thank all those manning these checkpoints (I know I might have insulted a few of them, with what I said above, lets not generalize it may be only a few) as our lives are at their hands! So the next time I curse their parents, it's only out of sheer frustration!

Blast in Colombo - Humanitarians @ Work!

Just minutes ago, a blast was reported in Dickmans Road, Bambalapitiya Sri Lanka... land like no other!

I'm waiting for it to hit the net, according to the radio (Sirasa), they've seen a Vehicle caught fire, and the injured been taken to Hospital.

Hmm.. maybe the vehicle caught fire on it's own.



UPDATE :

Reports are that it's an EPDP member with the name of P. Sivadasen. The blast has happened (reportedly) come from within the Vehicle it self.

LTTE making it clear that, they are the Only voice for Tamil People. After all when you keep bumping members of other Tamil Political parties, your bound to be the ONLY representitve, now aren't you?


UPDATE # 2

Sivathasan NOT dead.. only injurred! An innocent School Girl, and a passenger in the Vehicle are identified as the victims.

Entire story below :

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) - A car bomb exploded in front of a girls' school in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo on Tuesday, killing at least two people and wounding seven, the Media Centre of the Defence Ministry and police said.

Among the dead was a girl who was walking past the car when it exploded, said Rienzie Perera, a police spokesman. The identity of the other victim, whose body was inside the vehicle, was not immediately known.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe of Colombo's National Hospital said at least seven people have been admitted with injuries.

The apparent target was S. Sivathasan, a former legislator for the Eelam People's Democratic Party, which bitterly opposes the country's separatist Tamil Tiger guerrillas, according to party leader Douglas Devananda.

Sivathasan, who was injured and admitted to a hospital, was near the school when the explosion occurred, Devananda said.

Officials say they suspect Tamil Tigers were behind the attack.

The EPDP renounced violence decades back and joined the country's political mainstream. The Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam, who are campaigning for a separate homeland for the country's 3.2 million Tamils, oppose the EPDP.

In July 2004, a suicide bomber targeted Devananda, who is also a government minister. The bomber detonated explosives that killed four.

Here's the Tamil Net version of it.

A senior EPDP official and six others were wounded in a bomb explosion in Colombo around 2:00 p.m. Tuesday. The EPDP official, Sankarapillai Sivathasan, a long time EPDP advisor, a relative of EPDP leader Douglas Devandanda, and a former parliamentarian of the EPDP, was rushed to Colombo hospital. The explosion took place opposite a restaurant on Dickmans Road in Bambalapitya.

Further details are not available at the moment.

EPDP is a paramilitary group working with the Sri Lanka Army military intelligence in the Northeast SLA controlled territories and an ally of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse.


Just glancing through both articles, you'd say they are pretty much the same. But if you read it carefully you'll notice, LTTE chose a Restaurent as a Land Mark, while the other chose a School. If your familiar with Dickmans Road, you'd realize that both are relatively close and opposite each other.

Oh also they forget to mention the loss of a School Girls life. How very HUMANITARIAN of them?

Mavil Aru belongs to the LTTE or GoSL?

There has been a notion put forward by many that Mavil Aru, is under Tiger Controlled area, and the offensive launched by the GoSL is a clear violation of the Cease Fire. However the Govt, claims that it has always been under them, and the maintenance of the dam, has been carried out by Govt. Engineers.

If this is the case, a huge unjust has been done, as a different picture has been painted for the International Community courtesy Mr. Erik Solheim. Also the fact that, the deprivation of water, equals an act against humanity hasn't been highligted at all by the foreign media. Only headlines that amount to "GoSL launches offensive into Tiger Controlled Areas" are seen.

While we debate on these issues, a nation is waiting for a Miracle in Buddhist Temples, and it's sons are fighting a fierce battle with the LTTE, on different battle fronts.

There is absolutely no news (Released to the public) regarding the exact situation at Mavilaru, from both parties. From what looks like it, the GoSL troops find it difficult to proceed, as they have to cross a bare land, which is heavily mined/booby trapped, amidst LTTE artillery fire, 300 meters away from the anicut. They have been stagnant in this position for over a day, either waiting for reinforcements, or the perfect time to strike.

On a different ground the LTTE launched an attack on Muttur, attempting to claim the village, however it is reported that the Govt. Forces managed to successfully retaliate. According to the Govt. the mission saw the demise of two senior leaders of the LTTE are "Muttu Selvi" and "Purachchi" who had led the attack on the unsuccessful capturing of Muttur area along with several other cadres .

The LTTE were further discouraged, when one of their boats were blasted off by SLN Multi Barrel Launches, and found their second boat fleeing the scene.

However they(LTTE) chose to retaliate, by pointing their artillery in the direction of 2 Muslim schools "Arabic College" and "Nuriya Muslim School" where civilians were temporarily sheltered. As a result over 20 civilians have been reported dead, and many more wounded. Among them are Children as well.

The very same allegation has been landed on the GoSL, by the LTTE as well.

Humanitarian Efforts - Part II

Since my previous post -Increased Humanitarian Efforts by the LTTE, the chappies have realized that their efforts have been recognized, and decided to further increase them. How is it possible to further increase? Well take a look at our Fuel Prices, just when you think there's no way you can increase the price, they just mock you and make you look pretty dumb.

Anyways LTTE have a few chappies who like swimming and diving besides the usual tiger sports (like blowing themselves up) who call them "Sea Tigers". So they decided to help out some of the blokes at SL Navy when they were transporting troops, thought they'd pull up close and say "hi", maybe tag along to the Trinco Harbour as well, just 25-50 meters away from where they were. Our edgy Sailors decided to shoo them away, coz they weren't too friendly the last time - Perl Cruiser incident. Well the tiger chappies didn't like being shoo'ed, and each side decided to pull out their guns, and play "Cow Boy" in the sea. Well unfortunately the tigers had to swim back to their hommies in "Ealam Land", so the totally biased GoSL reports.

Now how can I not talk about Humanitarian and not talk about the "Mavilaru" incident. As I stated in another blog, this was totally blown up by the GoSL. This actually wasn't a Humanitarian effort by the LTTE. They were doing their rounds, and saw them gates, and since they hadn't been checked for a while (open and close them), thought they'd do it then and there. Unfortunately some bloke got it stuck, so they had to wait for the Tigers who are good with their hands to resolve the issue, (Engineers they call them). Now why didn't they let the Army Engineers help em out, coz their mummies had told em when they were cubs "Clean your shit, your selves!" Now you at home thinking where am I making such a baseless argument. Well I have my facts, from none other than Tamil Net. Unbiased media reporting. Wonder why they didn't get the award for "Best News" along with Rupavahini and Sirasa.

Anyways this is what is said on Tamil Net :

Serunuwera Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Priest

Serunuwera Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Priest the venerable Saranakeerthi Serunuwera Thera told the Daily Mirror he was informed the LTTE was preparing to re-open the Maavilaru anicut just hours before the military operation was launched and believed the confrontation could have been avoided.

See, if only those 30,000 odd families waited a measly hour more..??

Swedish Major General Ulf Henricsson(SLMM) :

"“It is definitely the wrong method. It is definitely overkill if you want the water,"

““We sat talking and got clearance from the government and tried to convince the LTTE to have confidence in the government,” he said. “[Then] they dropped a bomb in the vicinity. That's not the right signal.”

See, our chappies at SLAF sent the wrong signal, and mind you "over kill". After all the tigers were getting ready to open the gates. And why couldn't they do it?

Elilan told the Daily Mirror :

“Even if we are to open the anicut how can we go there with a military operation going on. They will first have to stop the military operation and only then can we discuss other issues,”

Why did all of this start. Some say (besides my accurate justification) that it's coz the GoSL was planning to build tanks in Govt. controlled areas. How rude!?! To leave out the Tigers, to fend for them selves. After all their "Ealam Home land" has to be built by the GoSL with the money ADB approved for "Sri Lanka". Well more thoughts/justifications are discussed in following posts (I hope you guys don't mind me linking):

• holding water hostage
• We closed Mavil Aru to protest against EU ban - LTTE

On a more serious note.. (now you guys know I was joking... he he) The situation remains unknown to many of us as both parties remain tight lipped about the current proceedings, as this is a crucial point of the "Beginning of the End".

If the GoSL troops manage to secure the anicut, and drive away the LTTE, the LTTE would be forced tp increase the intensity in other areas, and even drop a big ass bomb in city, to asertain their dominance, and lost pride.

If the LTTE manage to keep the GoSL at bay, the GoSL will increase air strikes on other LTTE strong holds and keep on trying to regain MavilAru.

No matter what happens, I don't see both parties sitting back for discussions after this, as the Foreign Community (Norwegians and SLMM specially) have lost hope, and the EU countries pulling out, would weaken the SLMM, and sooner or later the entier SLMM would pull out and declare the proceeding as a failure.

Superman Returns -> Lt. Gen. Fonseka

Lt. Gen. Fonseka : "I, as the Commander of the Army on the day of my return to work after surviving the recent gruesome suicide terrorist attack, wish to extend my sincere gratitude and tribute to all Religious dignitaries of Major denominations, His Excellency, the President, Prime Minister, Government Ministers and Members of Parliament, Secretary Defence, Medical Specialists and Doctors, Nursing Staff and Paramedics, members of the Army, Navy, Air-Force and the Police, Media Personnel, Foreign dignitaries, Principals and Teachers of schools, various Associations and Public Forums, School Children, Members of the Public, Friends and former colleagues, Relatives and well-wishers who remained a tower of strength behind myself as well as members of my family ever since I was hospitalized after the attack. I also regret that I may not be able to express my gratitude individually to all those who visited the hospital and sent messages, as it was not possible to remain acquainted due to the tragic circumstances prevailed at that time". "Your prayers and blessings by way of Bodhi Poojas, Special Poojas and Holy services, no doubt enormously contributed to expedite my path to recovery after the dastardly crime that took 11 lives and injured another 28. It is your thoughts and consideration that inspired and provided much required solace to me as well as members of my family to rise to the challenge enabling me to return to work. So did all greeting cards directed to me." "Let me also assure you that I will proceed from here to fulfil my responsibilities undeterred by the dastardly act. I strongly believe your blessings and sentiments will provide me with the necessary strength to complete that unfulfilled mission for a better tomorrow. Thank you."

Courtesy : Daily News

The man of the moment has made his return. I'm not too sure of his health condition but he seems preety fit in the pic. Despite claims/rumours, that he'd lost his leg, arm etc.

The need of the hour is a stong leadership, and since I dont see much of that around, I hope the return of the Lt. Gen will bring balance to the Force (as they would call it in Star Wars). It's nice to see a Military Toughy returning to the seen rather than bowing out, while he had a good excuse.

Kudos to you sir!