SLA cut downs use of A9 route to Jaffna due to security risks

Sri Lanka Army (SLA) which had earlier announced the opening of A9 land route to Jaffna has now limited its turns of transporting soldiers to 3 days in a week due to clashes breaking along the road and security risks, SLA sources in Jaffna said. Information on the days of transport is not disclosed and the convoy of busses takes the soldiers on vacation from Palaali to Vavuniyaa and back on unannounced days, three times a week. SLA had been following the same procedure in the transport of soldiers between Jaffna and Trincomalee by the vessel ‘Jetliner’ in an irregular manner so as to avoid risks of being attacked on the sea.The soldiers are transported from Palaali along A9 route to Vavuniyaa and from there to Anuradapura. The same procedure is followed in bringing soldiers back to Jaffna peninsula.SLA uses more than 25 buses for this purpose and the last convoy of them took soldiers from Palaali to Vavuniyaa Sunday.Meanwhile, Jaffna Government Agent, K. Ganesh, announced that ships carrying relief goods sent by the Commissioner of Essential Services left Colombo Sunday and will arrive at Kaangesanthu’rai harbour Tuesday.The relief goods will be transported to the Government Stores located in Naavatku’li, the announcement said.After a period of 18 years the A9 Jaffna-Kandy road was first used by SLA to bring troops to Jaffna from Vavuniyaa on 2nd March.

LTTE breaks through SLA lines amidst casualties

The Sri Lanka Army divisions surrounding Puthukkudiyiruppu face the threat of attack from behind their lines as LTTE fighters managed to break through their lines despite suffering casualties on Sunday, reports from Jaffna said quoting Sri Lankan military sources of anonymity. In the meantime, Sri Lankan defence sources in Colombo claimed recovery of more than 100 bodies of LTTE fighters.
Residents of Jaffna peninsula heard heavy exchange of gunfire and artillery explosions throughout Saturday and Sunday.

Police playing hide and seek in Lasantha probe

Government Analyst (GA) T.R.N.M. Liyanarachchi on Friday (8) told that his report on the murder of the late Editor-in-Chief of The Sunday Leader Lasantha Wickrematunge was handed over to the police a few weeks back.
The GA's revelation stands in stark contradiction of the position taken by the police that they have not yet received the GA report and hence the investigation is at a standstill. Police Spokesperson SSP Ranjith Gunasekera once again stated that the police were awaiting the GA's report for 'scientific evidence.' Wickrematunge was brutally murdered by unidentified gunmen on January 8 at Attidiya in the high security zone in close proximity to the Ratmalana Airport and Air Force Base, while on his way to office. Although the police appointed four investigation teams to investigate into the killing of Wickrematunge, the police are yet to make a breakthrough for the past two months. When asked as to what the latest progress into the killing of Wickrematunge was, SSP Gunasekera said that the police teams are still investigating into the telephone calls received by Wickrematunge and nothing else. "I was not told as to what is happening and still the police are awaiting the GA report for a breakthrough," SSP said. However GA, Liyanarachchi and his deputy W.D.G.S. Gunathilake confirmed to The Sunday Leader that they had sent the report to the Mount Lavinia Police a few weeks ago. "Copies of the report have been sent to SSP Mount Lavinia, Hemantha Adikari and to the HQI Mount Lavinia a few weeks back. So how could the police say that they have not yet received the report," queried Deputy GA, Gunathilake. All attempts to contact SSP Adikari for a comment failed.

Adversity of Vanni people to investigate and grant relief - Richard Bowchar

American Deputy Secretary for South East Asia Richard Bowchar stated that by granting equal rights to Sri Lankan Tamil people, and to lead them respectfully all arrangements should be organized by the Sri Lankan Government immediately .
Tamil Eelam Libeartion tigers are continuously keeping the innocent people under their control and this is a difficult position to them was further stated by him. People trapped in the Vanni area, are proposed to remove them, by the assistance from American Pacific Commanding Team but it is awaiting the permission from both sectors, hence they cannot not proceed was mentioned by him. “Till then we would attempt what sort of assistance we could do to those civilians” was mentioned by him. He mentioned some of this officers have proceeded to such areas, to find out the situation of Vanni people and in what sort of assistance they could grant, and the possibilities was stated by Richard Bowchar.

Heavy fighting reported in Vanni

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) launched heavy artillery barrage and mortar fire Saturday midnight on Sri Lanka Amy (SLA) soldiers of its 55th Division stationed in Chaalai, Chu’ndikku'lam and some areas of Puthukkudiyiruppu, killing and seriously injuring considerable number of soldiers, according to an SLA source in Thenmaraadchi. LTTE forces are attempting to break into the formation of the SLA 55th Division, the officer said.Residents in Thenmaraadchi said they could hear loud explosions from the above area where the fighting is said to be continuing until Sunday evening.