srilanka timeline 2008

8/17/2019 Srilanka Timeline 2008

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4/30/2016 http://w ww.satp.or g/satpor gtp/countr ies/shr ilanka/timel ine/2008.htm

Sri Lanka Timeline - Year 2008

January 1 The UNP Member of Parliamen t, T. Maheshw aran, 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 decide d to withdraw from the CFA with the LTTE. At the Cabin et 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 mili tants were killed and 30 others injured when troops laun ched two separate a ttacks ona LTTE bunker line at Kilaly in the Jaffna district. Two soldiers were also killed and six others sustainedinjuries during the exchange o f fire. Five LTTE bunkers were destroyed in the incident.

Troops entered the LTTE bunker lines in the Vaiyaththukulam area of Vavuniya district and killed four militants. While o ne soldier was injured in the e ncounter, the troops destroyed one bu nker.

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

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 injure d when troops stormed the outfit’sbunker line at Pallikuli, west of Adampan, in the Mannar district. One of the seven soldiers wounded in the

incident 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 of Palamoddai 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 Minister Rohitha Bogollagama handed a letter to Norwegian Ambassador Tore Hattrem, saying that the

government 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 Intellige nce", self-styled Col. Charles a.k.a. Shanmuganatha nRavishankar, 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 killed

three of them.

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

Troops launched an attack towards the LTTE bunker line north of A-9 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 non-Cabinet Minister for Nation Building, D.M. Dissanayake, in aclaymore mine blast near Rukmani Devi junction at Ja-ela 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 military-held 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 lead er Shanker was shot dead by the STF personnel at Shaukad e 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 1 9 LTTE militan ts 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 anti-personnel 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 of them. Four soldiers sustained inju ries 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 inju ries in the incident site.

A US District Court in Maryland sentenced a Sri Lankan to 57 months in prison and three years of supervised 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 U S.

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 al-Qaeda 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. For more 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 pre-dawn 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 o thers.

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 mortar and a rtillery 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 ahea d o f 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 strongly-worded statement the Tokyo Co-Chairs 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 Co-Chairs 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 of Villattikulam, 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 Periyapantrichurichcha narea of Vavuniya district.

A group of LTTE militants w ho were moving away from their defence line in the area south of Muhamalai in

the 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 Presse-Agentur thatthe military wants to destroy the LTTE and conclude 25 years of war after the cease-fire ends on January16. He said the military was already putting pressure on the LTTE at various fronts in the N orth, 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 30-year old struggle against Sri Lankan state. Denyingthat the outfit is reverting to guerrilla tactics as it is losing the war, he asserted, "We will never

revert 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, alleg edly scurrying back into the jungles minutes after triggerin g theclaymore mine explosion targeting the passenger bus, reportedly shot dead five farmers in their paddy-fields 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 d istrict.

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 of the 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 their positions in the a rea. During the process, troops killed n ine 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, 4-km 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 LTTE

trenches. Six LTTE militants were killed and 1 0 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 Pallikul i in the Mannar district, troops killed three LTTE militants in two sep arate 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 Pullipp ankiyarkulamarea of Vavuniya district.

Advancing troops captured another LTTE stronghold in the Vaiyttankulam area of Mannar district after a

confrontation 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 about5-km 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 pre-down 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 A-9 road and eight more bunkers west of A-9 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 of Vavuniya district.

A team of police personnel who were providing security at Allimankad a in the Kithulkote area of Thanamalwila 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 Mannar district. 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 four militants.

A calend ar 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 b y 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 Horoupathana-Kebithigollawa road in the Anuradhapura district.

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

The troops launched an attack on a LTTE bunker line in the area south of A-9 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 one-kilometer 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 le ast 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 nine-month 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 under the 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 their attack 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 Mannar district.

Troops after observing the LTTE militants constructing a new bunker line in the Kokkuthuduvai area of

Vavuniya 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 gun-battle, 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 four of them, killing four militants.

January 29 17 civilians, including 11 children, were killed in a claymore mine attack on a school bus in the Mannar district. 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 theLTTE-controlled 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 1-km 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 Karampaikkula mand Parappakandal areas of Mannar district.

During another confrontation between the two sides at Andankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops killedseven militants. Two soldiers we re also in jured 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 extra

vigilant," he said.

At least 10 LTTE cadres were killed during an encounter with the security forces in the Adampan area of Mannar district. The location, believed to be one of the outfit’s command posts, had been heavily fortifiedwith a three-layer 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 25-year-old ethnic conflict in Sri

Lanka, 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 Ki-Moon 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 no-war-zone 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 no-war-zone.

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 un specified number militants sustained injuries in the inciden t.


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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 civilian sand injuring 17 others, the military said. Authorities, however, said that the explosion was premature sincethere was no target in the area.

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon 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 Secretary-General's latest report on children and armed conflict, covering the period fromOctober 2006 to August 2007, said the LTTE had recruited or re-recruited 339 children. It says that41% of them were from Batticaloa. The UNICEF has also received confirmed reports that 246

children had been recruited or re-recruited by Karuna group during the reporting period.

February 1 Troops killed 10 LTTE militants and neutrali zed 10 of their bunkers in an attack at the Muhamala i 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 the Andankulam a rea 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 o f 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 -

Anuradh apura 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 soldier was 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 their bases 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 a lso 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 of Vavuniya district.

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

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

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 mine

targeting a civilian bus, plying from Parakaramapura to Janakapura, at Kobbekaduwa junction in Welioya,200-metres away from the 223 Brigade headquarters. The dead include five soldiers and two women.

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

An explosion occurred at Dand eniyaw atta 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 gun-battle, two soldiers and a militant were killed while another soldier sustained 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 b unker killing fivemilitants.

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

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 Naga rkovil area of Jaffna districtstormed the outfit’s bunkers at about 5.30am. Five soldiers were also injured during the clash. Troops withthe assistance of T-55 battle tanks completely destroyed 30 bunkers - four in the Nagarkovil area, 10 in thearea north of A-9 and 16 in the Kilaly area.

At least 10 LTTE militants were killed and several others wounded when troops confronted a group of militants 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 kil led four more LTTE militants durin g 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 and

killed 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 A-9 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 four militants while injuring six others. Two soldiers were also wounded in the incident.

Two LTTE militants and a soldier were killed during a gun-battle 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 one-squ are kilometer area to the south of Adampan Tank in the Mannar district after clashes 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 of Vavuniya district.

Eight LTTE cadres were killed by the troops during a gun-battle 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 gun-battle between the two sides atPeriyapantrichurichchan in the Vavuniya d istrict. Seven soldie rs were a lso 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 Umayaratuvarankulam

areas of Vavuniya district.

The troops launched two separate attacks on the LTTE militants at Periyapantrichurichchan areas of Vavuniya 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 state-run Sunday Observer .

February 10 11 LTTE militants were killed during separate clashes with the troops in the Sirukulam, Karampaikkulam, Adampan and Parappakandal a reas o f Manna r 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 of Vavuniya 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 A-9 in the Muhamalai region of Jaffna district.

At least 13 LTTE militants and 10 soldiers were killed during a gun-battle betwee n the two sides in the Andankulam area of Vavuniya district. The troops destroyed 12 LTTE bunkers and also injure d anunspecified number of militants. 25 soldiers were reportedly injured in the incident.

At Udayanathankulam in the Vavuniya district, troops attacked and neutral ised 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 four militants 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 subseque ntly recovered the dead body of on e 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 of Vavuniya 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 for recruiting 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 d istrict.

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 Nana yakkara 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 two-week 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 strongly-built bund in the Andankulam

area. 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 gun-battle that started around midnight and continued for ab out 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 35-40 militants have either been injured or killed.

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 Wanni

area 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 gun-fight.

At Kallikulam in the Vavuniya district, the troops ne utralized a LTTE bunker and killed six mili tants.

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 T-56 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 of Vavuniya district.

Four LTTE militants were killed as a group of outfit’s militants attempting to infiltrate newly captured areas in

the 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 and Adampan 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 of Welioya 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 T-56 weapons a nd 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 di ed 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 of the 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 T-56 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 ahea d 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 LTTE-held 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 ad ded.

At least 17 LTTE militants were killed when the troops overran their line of bunkers in the Parappa kandalarea 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 self-styled ‘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 ne ar 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 of Jaffna 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 of the outfit.

The United Nations and Non Governmental Organisations working in the conflict-ridden 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 conflict-affected individuals comprising IDPs,

returnees and economically affected persons", according to the CHAP 2008, prepared by the Inter Agency 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 T-56 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 newly-erected 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 of Jaffna 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 Propeller Grenades 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 of them. 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 fund-raising 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 cross-loading point on the Uyilankulam- Andankulam 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, and

injured 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 Vavuniya

district. 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 Mankulam-Mallavi road of Kilinochchi district. The pro-LTTEWebsite Tamil Net alleged that he was killed in a claymore mine attack carried out by the Sri Lanka

Army’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 gun-battle 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 Jaffna

district 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 gun-battle with the troops in the Manthai area of Mannar district. 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 of Vavuniya 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’s-controlled Wanni area.

March 10 In a pre-dawn 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 60-mm mortar fire on troop positions in the Vilattikulam area of Vavuniya 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 pre-dawn 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 of Vavuniya district.

A case was filed against LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, its Intelligence wing leader Pottu Amman 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 of Vavuniya district.

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


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arc m an s were e ur ng severa encoun ers e ween e roops an m an s n eKarukkakulam, 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 of Mannar 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 17-onwards. "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 Mannar

district. 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 four militants 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 the Army Special Infantrymen at Kottakkarankulam in the Vavuniya dist rict.

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 at

least 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 the

Vavuniya 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 s outhwest 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 seven

others sustained injuries during the incident.During two separate encounters, the troops killed four LTTE militants in the Nagarkovil area of Jaffna district.

At Kokkuthuduvai and Janakapura in the Vavuniya dist rict, 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 chief Velupillai Prabhakaran, Intelligence Wing leader Pottu Amman, Charles Master and KomadeeManimekala in connection with the assassination (August 12, 2005) of former Foreign Minister Lakshman 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 major political 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 de-merged 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 Veerasingham

Anandasangaree said the existence of armed groups in the east is an obstacle to free and fair elections.

Three LTTE militants were killed by the troops during an encounter in the Karampaikkulam area of Vavuniya 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 LTTE-triggered sea mine explosion in the Nayaru Sea off Mullaitivu coast on March 22,have reportedly d

srilanka timeline 2008

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