Incidents and Statments involving LTTE: 2015

Date

Nature of incident

January 11

Kilinochchi District

Colombo

Marxist party JVP filed a petition in court seeking the arrest of a former top leader of the LTTE Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP. The JVP filed the petition in the Court of Appeals seeking to arrest KP, who was in protective custody under former President Mahinda Rajapaksa's Government. JVP parliamentarian Vijitha Herath said KP has to answer many questions and he needs to be arrested for his activities. KP was an international arms smuggler who procured massive loads of weapons worth billions of dollars for the terrorist organization that ravaged a deadly war for 30 years. He was involved in arms smuggling operations across Asia, Canada, US and Europe.

The Court of Appeal in Sri Lanka on January 27 will take up a Writ Application filed by the Marxist party, JVP seeking an order to arrest and prosecute former LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP. The petition was filed in the Court of Appeal on January 19 and has sought Writs of Mandamus to arrest KP and produce him in Court to investigate the offences committed by him and to initiate judicial proceedings against him. The petition demanded the arrest and trial of the former LTTE leader who is believed to be the head of the international wing of the terrorist organization. KP is currently operating a NGO under military protection in the Northern Province.

The Appeal Court of Sri Lanka issued notice on the Attorney General to appear before the Court on February 5 in connection with the writ application filed by the JVP against former LTTE Leader, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP.

A Government spokesman, Rajitha Senaratne said that the new Government was looking at releasing political prisoners, mainly suspected members of the defeated LTTE.

Rajitha Senaratne said that he has sought an inquiry into information that former Defense Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa is using two serving army officers to train 400 soldiers to whip up a bogey about an LTTE revival in the run up to the April parliamentary elections. Senaratne said that this army unit is being trained by two serving officers, Brig. Harendra Ranasinghe and Col. Mahinda Ranasinghe of the Army Training School. According to Senaratne, the idea is to get 400 Tamil speaking Sinhalese soldiers to go to the North in disguise and provoke the army. The ensuing clashes would help show people in the Sinhalese-speaking South, that the LTTE have become active in the Northern Province and that the Maithripala Sirisena-Ranil Wickremesinghe Government is unable to tackle it. The LTTE-revival card could help former President Mahinda Rajapaksa win the elections. Senaratne said that to ensure national security, the Sirisena regime would rely on political engagement with the minorities and not on the military.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera said that the new Government has no intention of lifting the ban imposed on the several Tamil Diaspora groups for their alleged involvement with the LTTE and over attempts to revive terrorism in the country. He said that the new Government hopes to maintain the ban imposed on the organisations that were alleged to have links with the LTTE. During the previous regime the LTTE and 15 Tamil Diaspora groups including the TGTE, GTF and BTF were banned in Sri Lanka.

Colombo

Sri Lanka's new Government will soon arrest LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP and the decision will be available by the end of this week, a reliable source informed. According to the report the file which contains unpublished details of secrets revealed by KP is to be presented to the Government by the intelligence units. During his previous interrogations, it had been revealed that it was KP who had provided weapons, aircrafts and other equipment for the LTTE to attack the state armed forces. According to reports, it has also been revealed that KP had purchased "Slime" type aircrafts from a Bangladeshi agrarian company and has brought them from Indonesia to Mullaitivu in Northern Province.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the new Government will investigate the LTTE activities over the past few years including its funding and alleged links it had with the previous Government. He said that the Government wants to know what happened to the funds of the LTTE. He said "This is part of our probe on corruption. The former Government always accused us of having links with the LTTE but it was they who had links with the Tigers." He said that investigations will include obtaining information on the LTTE ships, gold and money yet to be found even after the war. The Prime Minister said that the public in the North have said they have evidence to share over the LTTE and so that evidence will also be obtained. "This is a large scale investigation," he added.

Wickremesinghe also said that when the European court ruled in support of the LTTE the former Government did not take steps to assist the EU to reverse the court ruling. He said "We have said we will assist the EU to ensure the ban on the LTTE in the EU remains". He also questioned the previous Government's failure to handover Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP to India. KP is wanted in India over the assassination of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

Colombo

A Sri Lankan Court issued an order preventing the former LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP from leaving the country. The Court of Appeal issued the order barring Pathmanathan from traveling overseas. The Court granted the motion of order as a sub decision based upon a petition filed by the Marxist party, JVP. The Court had informed the Department of Immigration and Emigration asking them not permit Pathmanathan to leave the country until the end of the trial.

President Maithripala Sirisena told the diplomatic community in Colombo that if "credible and firm" evidence is found by the proposed inquiry into allegations that Sri Lankan SFs committed human rights violations during the fight against the LTTE, action would be taken against the guilty. The President also invited the UNHCHR to visit Sri Lanka. Sirisena said the Government needed time to bring about unity and reconciliation as it had assumed office only a month ago. Referring to Tamils living in the Northern Province, he said 'doubts and mistrust' between ethnic groups should be removed.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe ordered the release of copies of the Indian magazine, Frontline detained at the Colombo airport by Sri Lanka's Customs Department in January. The copies were of the special edition of the magazine marking its 30th year, which republished a 1987 interview with slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabakaran, along with other interviews and articles from its archives. An official statement from the Prime Minister's office said that the interview with Prabakaran would not create any threat to national security.

The Attorney General's Department of Sri Lanka requested more time from the Court of Appeal to decide on former LTTE Leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP. Deputy Solicitor General Suhada Gamlath informed the Appeal Court that the Attorney General's Department required more time to decide on the nature of action to be taken against KP. He made this submission when a petition filed by the Marxist party JVP seeking KP's arrest was taken up for hearing. The case has now been put off till February 26.

Colombo

A Colombo Court has ordered Balendran Jeyakumari, who has been searching and campaigning for the release of her son, to continue to be held in detention custody till March 10, as per the request made by the TID. Jeyakumari, who was arrested on March 13 2014 on suspicion of harbouring former rebel cadres at her home in Kilinochchi in Northern Province, was transferred to the Welikada prison only last week, where she was allowed to meet briefly her 13-year old daughter Vibushika, who is also in the protective custody in Kilinochchi. According to the published report, her son, Balendran Mahindan was alive and was going through the government's "rehabilitation program" at an unknown 'rehabilitation' centre. Several local and international human right organisations have campaigned for her early release.

Colombo

The AG of Sri Lanka requested six months to present a comprehensive report to the Court of Appeal on former LTTE leader and arms procurer Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP. According to the Attorney General's Department, the 193 incidents mentioned in the petition against KP have to be examined properly and time was required for the matter. The Court of Appeal at the last hearing directed the Attorney General's Department to inform of its proposed action on KP at today's hearing. However, the Department has now sought more time.

Colombo

Police arrested a former leader of the LTTE Sea Tiger Women's Wing, identified as Murugesu Jayaganesh Pakeerathy alias Murugesu Bairahi alias Burugesu Pahiradiat at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo while she was about to leave for France. Police Spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said that the TID of the Police had launched investigations over reports that Murugesu Bairahi had arrived in Sri Lanka. The 41 year old former Sea Tiger was arrested by the TID when she was preparing to leave the country and is currently held on detention for 72 hours. Police informed that Murugesu Bairahi headed the women's wing of the LTTE Sea Tigers from 1997-2000 and that she had fled to France in 2005. Police further said the investigations had revealed that she had returned to Sri Lanka last month and was staying in Parathion in the North. The suspect has been produced at the Colombo Magistrate Court.

Colombo

In an interview ahead of Indian PM Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe said that Indian politicians might have developed "amnesia" over the fact that India had assisted former President Mahinda Rajapaksa in the LTTE war of 2009. Lankan Prime Minister said "Without the help of India, President Rajapaksa could not have wiped out the LTTE. He got that help and he agreed to give concessions even beyond the 13th amendment ... But he did not do so ....". Asked specifically about the UPA's denials of help to Sri Lanka, especially because of opposition from its alliance partner the DMK, he said, "Amnesia, you know is very common among politicians."

Wickramasinghe accused the TNA Government in the Northern Province and Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran of being "irresponsible" in passing a resolution for an international genocide investigation to look into allegations dating back to the 1970s. The Prime Minister said that in that case, not only would the Sri Lankan Government and the LTTE had to be charged with killings, but so would the IPKF that went in to assist in the late 1980s. He said "Casualties took place under the Sri Lankan SFs, the IPKF and also by the LTTE ... But to say that it was only the Government of Sri Lanka is wrong."

Colombo

Sri Lankan authorities have extended the detention of a former Sea Tiger Women's Wing leader of the LTTE arrested earlier this week. Police on March 2 arrested the former LTTE leader Murugesu Jayaganesh Pakeerathy at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo while she was about to leave for France with her eight-year-old daughter, a French national. The authorities initially detained her for 72-hours pending investigations by the Unit TID and the detention has been extended to 90 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. SSP Ajith Rohana said "We have now got a detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act which means we can hold her for a period of 90 days." "We are hopeful of completing investigations very soon," he added.

A Sri Lankan court released the Tamil woman activist, Balendran Jeyakumari who has been held in detention for nearly a year for allegedly harbouring a LTTE fugitive. Acting Police Media Spokesperson, ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said Colombo Magistrate Court released Jeyakumari on conditional bail after spending nearly a year in the Boossa detention camp. However, the Additional Magistrate has banned her from leaving the country as part of the bail conditions given to her by the Court. She is also required to report to police station closest to her residence every month, ASP Gunasekara said. The court also released six other activists along with Jeyakumari. Jeyakumari along with her 13-year-old daughter was arrested on March 13, 2014 in Kilinochchi for allegedly sheltering an LTTE cadre, named Gopi, who shot a Police inspector in Kilinochchi during an arrest.

TNA Parliamentarian M.A. Sumanthiran claimed that there are about 300 political prisoners in Sri Lanka. He said that the law has taken a different course for those who helped the LTTE by providing them with food and water, and they are still in detention though 11,900 detainees have already been rehabilitated. According to Sumanthiran, the group under custody could be divided as (1) those against whom no legal action has been instituted (2) those whose legal battle is completed and (3) those against whom legal action continues."The Committee to be appointed by the Solicitor General will conduct its first meeting on March 16," sources said.

A Sri Lankan court released a former leader of the LTTE Sea Tiger women's wing on conational bail when she was produced in court. Police spokesman, ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attigala released the former LTTE leader Murugesu Jayaganesh Pakeerathy on a personal bail of LKR 200,000. The suspected LTTE leader was ordered to hand over her passport to the court and appear before a Police Station once a week.

The arrest at the Colombo Airport last week of a former woman 'Sea Tiger', Murugesu Jayaganesh Pakeerathy has exposed new global LTTE financing networks with continued links in Sri Lanka. The husband of Murugesu Jayaganesh Pakeerathy lives in France and is identified as the main financial controller of the LTTE's Diaspora-based global finance networks. The husband, Subramaniam Jayaganesh, is suspected to be still maintaining close ties with the former Tiger leader and key 'banker' Kumaran Pathmanathan alias 'KP' who was the LTTE's main global funds coordinator. 'KP' currently lives in Sri Lanka following his arrest in Malaysia and controversial 'rehabilitation' by the previous regime despite many serious charges relating to terrorism arraigned against him. The sources said that the TID, which is currently questioning Murugesu found these international financial linkages. This has prompted a fresh probe into possible international LTTE financing networks that may still be linked with Colombo, Police sources said.

The court case against former LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, arising out of a petition filed by the JVP, will be taken up by Court of Appeal this week. At the last hearing, Justice Vijitha Malalagoda, asked for more information about KP's global links.

Colombo

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that livelihood development programs should be implemented for the rehabilitated cadres of LTTE, in order to secure their economic environment. Following a special discussion headed by the PM held at the Temple Trees in Colombo, the PM appointed a committee to explore and initiate programmes to create employment for the ex LTTE cadres. The committee comprises the officials of the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. According to the Bureau of the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation report Sri Lanka has almost completed the rehabilitation of nearly 12,000 former cadres of LTTE. Currently, 49 hardcore LTTE cadres remain in detention centers.

Colombo

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera while presenting amendments to strengthen the laws to combat terrorist financing and money laundering combat in the Parliament said that the Government will review the proscription of 16 Tamil Diaspora organizations and over 400 individuals by the previous Government. Minister Samaraweera said that the previous Mahinda Rajapaksa Government banned Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora groups and individuals under the UNSC resolution 1373 for their alleged links to LTTE. He said the Government took that measure to "build up the hysteria about the LTTE regrouping" in the run up to the presidential election. Minister said "However, most of the organisations listed may have merely been vocal proponents of Tamil rights. There was hardly any tangible evidence to link them to the LTTE. Some of the individuals listed had even been dead for some time." "Reviewing this list of individuals and entities is an important exercise at this juncture when the Government of President Maithripala Sirisena is seriously committed to expedite the reconciliation process," the Minister pointed out.

The Kilinochchi Magistrate's Court in Kilinochchi District in Northern Province ordered the immediate release of Balendran Vibushika, the daughter of Tamil activist Balendran Jeyakumari, who was transferred to probationary custody in a children's home in Kilinochchi after her mother was arrested in March 2014, from probation. Balendran Jeyakumari, along with her then 13-year-old daughter, Vibushika, was arrested on March 13, 2014 in Kilinochchi for allegedly sheltering a LTTE cadre, named Gopi, who shot a Police Inspector in Kilinochchi during an arrest. Her daughter was handed over to Child Protection Services while the mother was sent to Boossa detention camp in Galle in Southern Province. Jeyakumari, who was detained for nearly a year without being charged, was released on conditional bail on March 10. Following Jeyakumari's release on bail, the Kilinochchi Magistrate's Court ordered the authorities to hand over Vibushika to her mother's custody.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the EU has responded positively to the quest made by him to extend the ban on, LTTE. The PM made this announcement when he met with the members of the three Armed Forces and Police at the Defence Headquarters at Palaly at Jaffna in Northern Province. Accordingly, the EU will further extend the ban on LTTE, the PM said. Wickremesinghe assured the SFs that his Government will not leave any room to sacrifice lives of armed forces and general public due to wrong decisions taken by the politicians.

Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Ajith P Perera said that the EU had re-imposed the ban on the LTTE due to the positive diplomatic intervention of the Government. However, the EU has not officially announced the decision to extend the ban.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ajith P Perera warned that there is a real danger that the LTTE could regroup and wage another war for an independent Tamil homeland, six years after they were militarily defeated. Perera said that "Their front organisations operate businesses abroad, they run petrol stations, supermarkets and have shipping companies." "Even though they have been defeated on the ground, there is a real danger of their trying to regroup," he said. His comments came after the Sri Lankan Government pushed the EU to again blacklist the LTTE.

The CID of Sri Lanka has arrested three former Navy personnel and detained them in connection with the killing of TNA MP Nadarajah Raviraj and a Policeman providing security to him in 2006. The parliamentarian was shot dead by gunmen riding a motorbike in Colombo in Western Province on November 10, 2006. His bodyguard, Police Constable Lakshman Lokuwella attached to the Jaffna Police Station, was also killed in the shooting. The Spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said the three security personnel including two officers are being interrogated under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and they will also be questioned over several disappearances during that time. The new government of President Maithripala Sirisena has promised accountability for wartime abuses. Raviraj was outspoken on greater self-rule for minority ethnic Tamils and explained the Tamil perspective of the conflict in Sinhala, the language of the majority. A former mayor of Jaffna and a lawyer by profession, Raviraj openly spoke out against the conflict between the military and LTTE in the country's north and east.

Three Sri Lankan Navy personnel, including two officers, have been arrested by the Police under the anti-terrorism Act for the alleged murder of a popular Tamil lawmaker in 2006 that had been blamed on the LTTE. Police spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that the three men are suspected in the killing of Nadaraja Raviraj, who was shot dead in his car in November 2006 during the country's civil war. A former mayor of Jaffna and a lawyer by profession, Raviraj openly spoke out against the conflict between the military and LTTE in the country's North and East. The Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa blamed the killing on the now-defeated LTTE, but Raviraj's supporters suspected a Government hand.

The new Government has started a comprehensive investigation to determine whether arms and ammunition recovered from the LTTE were provided to terrorist organizations by the previous Government. The Cabinet Spokesperson and the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne said that the Government will probe whether the recovered LTTE arms have been provided to the Ukrainian rebels and the Islamic terrorist organization Boko Haram in Nigeria. He said the previous Government has provided arms to a security institution which was allegedly involved in arms deals with a number of countries including Nigeria and the Government has received reports that the organization had exchanged arms in mid sea. The Minister said that the Government has suspicions as to whether they sold the LTTE weapons since the relevant officials in the Government have denied ever selling any state weapons. "The Government does not have a complete report about the weapons found from the LTTE during the last few day of war on terrorism," he said.

Three Army personnel including a Captain received injuries when they attempted to diffuse a landmine buried by the LTTE during war time in Wilasikulam forest area in Madhu Police Division in Mannar District of Northern Province. According to the Police, a Captain of the Engineering Corps, a Corporal and a Soldier who received injuries have been admitted to Vavuniya Hospital. It has been revealed that the landmine exploded due to a delay which occurred during bomb disposal.

Sri Lankan Army Headquarters said that the troops on their search and clear operations in the general areas of Kombavil, Puthukkudiyrippu, Ampakamam, Piramanthalaru and Kalkudah in Northern Province recovered six hand grenades, one 81 mm mortar bomb, one Arul bomb, one RPG bomb, one 40 mm grenade launcher bomb and one IED. The Army also said that the de-mining groups had recovered one hundred anti-personnel mines from Mahamailankulam, Kaddiadampan, 14th Mile Post and Pumalanathan in Northern Province. The arms that had been buried there by the LTTE during war time were detected by employees of a NGO and they alerted the SFs.

TNA MP M A Sumanthiran said that the TNA has no allegiance to the LTTE as it is not in favour of terrorism. He said that "We do not have any allegiance to the LTTE nor are we committed to their ideology. We stand up for the rights of the Tamil people but we are not in favour of terrorism nor do we encourage it and everyone knows this." He also dismissed concerns over resurgence of the LTTE, saying it is an effort by political parties to create fear among the people.

The Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando vehemently rejected the allegations that the lands in Sampur in Trincomalee District have been given to the LTTE terrorists. The Governor pointed out that handing over the lands to their original owners will never harm the security of the naval bases or naval jetty in Trincomalee. He said there is no truth in the speculation spread by some social media that the naval base in Sampur has been removed. The Government has taken measures to develop the Sampur navy training camp as a fully fledged navy training institute.

Sixty percent of the people who had appeared before the PCICMP, blamed the LTTE for the disappearance of their kith and kin, PCICMP Chairman, Retired Justice Maxwell Paranagama, said. He said that "Thirty percent of the complaints were against the Sri Lankan SFs, 10 percent against the other (non-LTTE) Tamil militant groups, and 5 percent were against unidentified elements." A total of 2500 people from the Northern and Eastern Provinces had appeared before the commission. There were 16,000 complaints from civilians and 5600 from the SFs. Paranagama added that "However, the blame figures varied from district to district. In Kilinochchi, 85 percent of those who deposed blamed the LTTE. In Mullaitivu, 80 percent blamed the LTTE. In Jaffna, people blamed the LTTE and the SFs equally (50:50). In the Eastern Province most of the complaints were against the SFs. The Karuna group (a breakaway group of the LTTE), was also blamed to an extent in the East." Some of the cases have been referred for action and some for further investigations, he said.

Mullaitivu District / Northern Province

Some TNA members of the NPC announced that the period May 13 to 19 would be marked as 'Tamil Genocide Week' and began commemorating the dead with a function in Mullavaikkal in Mullaitivu District where the final battle was fought in 2009. The military defeated the LTTE on May 19 (2009) - which is marked and celebrated as Victory Day in the country.

Colombo / Western Province

Government warned that any attempt to commemorate LTTE on the sixth anniversary of the end of the three-decade long civil war will not be condoned. Senior Minister Karu Jayasuriya said that "Anyone trying to commemorate the LTTE which was a terror group will not be approved by the government. There are elements who want to misuse the new democratic freedom in the country to show that terrorism could rise its head again."

Mullaitivu / Mullaitivu District / Northern Province

On the request of Mullaitivu Police, the Mullaitivu Magistrate Court issued an order banning people from holding any LTTE commemoration events or remembrance events in the Mullaitivu Police Division in Mullaitivu District of Northern Province for 14 days starting from May 18. Police have sought the court order after learning that TNPF was planning to hold an LTTE-remembrance event at Mullivaikal in Mullaitivu District on May 18.

Colombo / Western Province

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who hopes to romp back to power in the coming parliamentary elections on a Sinhalese-nationalist wave, decided to celebrate May 18, the day on which LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was killed, as "War Heroes' Day". Rajapaksa's rally to be held at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo is significant in the context of President Maithripala Sirisena's decision to observe May 19 as "Remembrance Day" to honor all Lankans, soldiers and civilians, irrespective of ethnicity, who had sacrificed their life or limb for the sake of the unity and integrity of the country.

Colombo / Western Province

Cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne announced that the day, May 19 which was celebrated as "Victory Day" by the Government of Mahinda Rajapaksa to mark the LTTE's defeat, will from this year onwards be observed as "Remembrance Day" to recall the sacrifices of all those who had fought in the Eelam War-IV to maintain the unity and integrity of Sri Lanka irrespective of their ethnicity. He also added that it would be a day that culminated the end of separatism.

Colombo

The TNA leader M.A. Sumanthiran said that "TNA, even in 2010, a year after the end of the War, had called upon people to remember the dead without any reference to the LTTE or religion. Its point was there should be "no sense of triumphalism" but a "feeling of regret and sadness".

Northern Province

Member of the NPC and former MP M.K. Shivajilingam said that as part of the "genocidal week," beginning on May 12, he took part in functions in Mullivaikkal, Trincomalee and Point Pedro in the last three days to pay homage to all those who died in the War" "The dead included those who belonged to the LTTE," said Shivajilingam, who is the national organiser of the TELO, now a political party.

Northern Province

Despite the ban on pro-LTTE commemorations in Mullaitivu District, the TNA - controlled NPC intends to have a function in the North on May 18 to pay to tribute to those who lost their lives, party officials said. TNA MP Suresh Premachandran said that the NCP organized event was originally to be conducted in Mullivaikkal, the area where the last battle was fought between the LTTE and the SFs on May 18, 2009 ending three decades of war. The venue had to be changed following the court order that banned any form of LTTE commemoration in the area, he added. He also criticised the Government for not allowing such functions.

Despite the court order banning pro-LTTE commemorations, Tamils including some of the TNA leaders and civilians, for the first time since the end of the Eelam War-IV six years ago, openly paid tribute to the thousands of dead in the final stages of the war in Mullaitivu District. TNA members of the NPC and local leaders, under heavy surveillance, lit oil lamps and offered flowers at a makeshift memorial in Mullivaikkal village.

The ITJP Sri Lanka, headed by South African human rights activist Yasmin Sooka, asked the Sri Lankan Government to give information about the whereabouts of 110 LTTE leaders who had surrendered to the Sri Lankan military in full public view on May 18, 2009. "The failure on the part of the authorities to carry out a proper investigation into their subsequent disappearance is a further injustice as well as a personal tragedy", an ITJP press release said.

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardena strongly rejected the allegation made by the former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opposition MPs who had stated that the LTTE flag was hoisted in parts of the Northern Province on May 18 when Sri Lanka commemorated the sixth year of defeating LTTE terrorism. The Minister said that "Report received from intelligence agencies state no such incident being staged in the Northern or Eastern Provinces. These rumors are spread by certain persons with vested interests, media sources and social web sites to achieve their own political agendas."

Anuradhapura /North Central Province

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa expressed fears about the possibility of a revival of the defunct terrorist organization, LTTE, in the country. While speaking to media in Anuradhapura in North Central Province, he said that "I have a suspicion that we may return to see terrorism. We don't want to see that happening we want everyone to live in peace and harmony." Rajapaksa also accused President Maithripala Sirisena of relaxing security in the North to cater to the demand of the Tamils in the Northern Province to demilitarize the former conflict-affected areas. Report also adds that according to political observers, raising fears of an LTTE revival could help the former President, who plans to contest parliamentary polls to make a political comeback, to win the elections. Rajapaksa loyalists in the former ruling party, UPFA are leading the campaign to get him appointed as the Prime Minister.

In an interview, NPC member Ananthy Sasistharan, wife of a senior functionary of the LTTE claimed that her husband, Sasistharan alias Elilan surrendered to the Sri Lankan forces on the advice of Indian MP, Kanimozhi belonging to DMK. Ananthy said that "it was after his conversation with Ms. Kanimozhi in Mullivaikkal at about 8 p.m. on May 16, 2009, my husband chose to surrender himself to the forces. This is not the first time that I am saying this. So far, there has been no response from the other side. It is time Karunanidhi Ayya and Ms. Kanimozhi break their silence and tell the world who were all behind the entire episode." When asked if her husband had any other option, she said, "He might have taken cyanide pills as he had two." However, she said she was not aware of the instructions of the LTTE to its members in such an eventuality.

Northern Province

Northern Province Chief Minister C.V. Vigneswaran said that the people in the North would be happy if the Armed Forces were withdrawn from the Province. He has attributed this sentiment to several allegations leveled against the Army. According to the Chief Minister, there had not been problem about the use of heroin in the Province before 2009 during the reign of the terrorist group LTTE.

Colombo

Minister of Power and Energy and JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said that the cabinet paper submitted to grant Government compensation for injured LTTE terrorists had to be withdrawn after he protested against it. Minister Ranawaka said "Some ministers submitted a cabinet paper proposing that the injured LTTE terrorists should be compensated by the government. I strongly objected it and it had to be withdrawn."

Colombo

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mangala Samaraweera told the Parliament that the once anti-Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora is likely to issue a statement renouncing violence and separatism. Samaraweera said "As a result of our discussions (in London last weekend), and our efforts, it is most likely that the Diaspora groups which were previously hostile to Sri Lanka, would issue a declaration renouncing violence and commit themselves to working towards a united, undivided Sri Lanka." Samaraweera denied that the issue of lifting the ban on the LTTE was discussed. He also denied that there was any discussion on "war crimes" and the proposed domestic mechanism to investigate charges of war crimes.

Matara District / Southern Province

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa alleged that 59 Sri Lankan Army camps in the Tamil majority Northern Province were shut down by the successor Government led by President Maithripala Sirisena and PM Ranil Wickremesinghe. In a letter addressed to participants in a "Bring Back Mahinda Rally" at Matara District in Southern Province, Rajapaksa charged that the withdrawal had taken place at a time when 'Eelam' flags had reappeared in the North, indicating a revival of terrorism. He added that the present Government is compromising national security by suggesting the release of LTTE cadres in custody, and holding discussions with persons like the former Norwegian Peace Envoy, Erik Solheim, who, he alleged, is trying to revive Tamil separatism.

Colombo

State Minister for Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said that there is no truth in the statements that are being made by the Opposition that the LTTE is raising its head in the North because of certain actions by the present regime.

Polonnaruwa High Court sentenced Sivaraja Jenivan alias Mohommadu Sulthan Cader Mohideen, a former LTTE cadre to a 10 year prison term for his involvement in an assassination attempt on President Maithripala Sirisena in 2006.

The Government has recently recruited 3,600 rehabilitated former combatants of LTTE to the Civil Defence Force. They have been appointed to permanent positions and entitled to pension schemes of the Government.

TNA barred former members of LTTE from contesting parliamentary elections for the August 17 polls. The party has even rejected a bid to contest by Ananthi Sasitharan, wife of Elilan, a senior LTTE member from the eastern province in Trincomalee District.

N.Vithyatharan coordinator of CFD, an organization of ex- LTTE cadre and their supporters said that CFD will be putting up ten former LTTE militants in the Jaffna-Kilinochchi electoral District for the August 17 Parliamentary elections as Independents. Vithyatharan said that following the rejection of their applications by the TNA, CFD decided to put its candidates up as Independents.

M.K. Shivajilingam, Member of the NPC and national organiser of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO), has chosen to contest in the Kurunegala electoral district in North Western Province. M K Shivajilingam, a relative of slain LTTE supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran, filed his nomination. Shivajilingam said he is not contesting as TELO or as part of the TNA, but as an independent.

A group of former members of the LTTE, which has fielded 10 candidates in the August 17 Parliamentary elections, has urged India, US and other Western countries to commend its decision to enter the fray. The group, called themselves as "Crusaders for Democracy", said in a statement that when the LTTE was involved in an armed struggle, these countries and the international community wanted it to give up arms and join the democratic mainstream. N. Vithyatharan, coordinator of the group, said the candidates had been fielded as independents as the group could not be registered as a party.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa denied allegations that he gave money to the LTTE, saying the ruling coalition leaders have been trying to "mislead voters" ahead of the parliament elections next month, The former President's office in a statement said, "Firstly, former president Rajapaksa did not give money to the LTTE. On the contrary, it was he who defeated the LTTE. Secondly, no Presidential Commission has recommended that Rajapaksa be deprived of his civic rights. Thirdly a Presidential Commission of Inquiry cannot deprive anybody of his civic rights unless parliament passes a resolution to that effect with a two thirds majority."

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said that the LTTE was always an obstacle to reach a peaceful solution to the national issue. Samaraweera said that the terrorism the LTTE unleashed, even against the Tamil people, resulted in the Tigers being proscribed in many countries. He said the solution to the national question is not a separate state as the LTTE mistakenly believed, but a solution which can address the genuine grievances of the Tamil people within a united and undivided Sri Lanka.

An unexploded bomb, believed to have fallen off from the LTTE aircraft shot down in 2009 by SLAF at Katunayake in Western Province, was found in a swamp close to the SLAF Camp. SLAF Spokesman Gehan Senaviratne said Road Development Authority (RDA) employees had discovered the bomb while carrying out road construction work in the area. Senaviratne said "The bomb was inside a plastic barrel in the swamp some 50 metres away from the location where the LTTE aircraft was shot down. We have secured the area and SLAF bomb disposal unit will soon defuse the bomb."

Sivanathan Navindra alias Venthan, a former bodyguard of the slain LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran is among nine ex-LTTE militants contesting the August 17 Parliamentary elections from the Jaffna-Kilinochchi electoral District as members of a new outfit, Crusaders for Democracy (CFD). Other CFD candidates are Rasaiah Tharmakulasingham alias Gamini, Kalikutti Subramanian alias Charles, Kumaravelu Akilan alias Iyal, Thangarasa Thevathasan alias Gangai Athman, Vinayagasundaram Mohanasundaram alias Gangai Alagan, Veeran Shakthivel ailas Thani Arasan, Sivaguru Murugadas alias Raviraj, and Nadesapillai Vithyatharan, a non-LTTE cadre who is described as "Oodaga Porali" (Media Warrior).

The Crusaders for Democracy, a group of former members of the LTTE, urged the Sri Lankan Government to "honour its commitments" made in the past at the international level on the Tamil question. The group in its election manifesto, released in Jaffna, said that according to the 1987 India-Sri Lanka Accord and the Oslo Communique of December 2002, the Sri Lankan Government had agreed to the concepts of federalism and internal self-determination, besides recognizing the Northern and Eastern Provinces as areas of historical habitation of Tamil speaking people. The manifesto wanted the creation of a mechanism that would facilitate self-rule of Tamils.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa denied allegations that he had given the LTTE money in 2005 in order to win the then Presidential election. In 2005 the LTTE had prevented the people from taking part in the elections, which allowed Rajapaksa to win with the support of the Sinhala votes in the South. Rajapaksa said that if he had given money to the LTTE he would not have taken much effort to try to defeat them. He said that if LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran was alive today he would ask him if the story was really true. The former President also said that it was no secret who gave arms to the LTTE to defeat the IPKF and who really funded the LTTE.

JHU member and United National Front for Good Governance Parliamentary candidate Champika Ranawaka said he is ready to expose former President Mahinda Rajapaksa on some deals he had allegedly made with the LTTE through South Africa. Ranawaka also challenged Rajapaksa to face him in an open debate on claims Rajapaksa never gave funds to the LTTE. Ranawaka said that Rajapaksa is already under investigation over funds diverted to the LTTE through the RADA. "We will be taking legal action against Rajapaksa in future in relation to this incident," he said. Ranawaka also insisted that there is no chance of the LTTE regrouping in Sri Lanka and that the security forces will ensure the security of the country.

Sri Lanka Police arrested an Army Sergeant Major suspected to have played a role in the abduction of Lanka e News journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda at Kurunegala in North Western Province. Sergeant Major's arrest was a result of an urgent inquiry conducted by the CID of Police following information received from two other suspects taken into custody earlier by the CID. Following the investigations initiated by the CID in to the disappearance of the Prageeth Eknaligoda, who was abducted at Rajagiriya (Sri Jayawardenapura) on January 24, 2010 two former LTTE cadres were arrested from Vavuniya by the CID several days ago. The suspects, identified as Kanapathipillai Suresh alias Satya Master and Sumathipalan Suresh alias Nagulan, have provided the information leading to the arrest of the army Sergeant Major according to the Police.

JHU leader Champika Ranawaka said that the Government of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had allegedly given the LTTE over LKR 169 million to win their support at the 2005 Presidential election. Ranawaka said that he has all the evidence, including documents, to back the allegations. Ranawaka revealed the names of LTTE members who a businessman had met on behalf of Rajapaksa to seal the deals in the guise of tsunami relief.

Ranawaka claimed that during discussions Basil Rajapaksa had with one LTTE negotiator identified as Emil Kanthan at the businessman's office, Basil Rajapaksa had told Emil Kanthan that "What Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa wants is a boycott of voting in the North, and the PM wants to know what the LTTE would like to have in return." In reply at a later date Emil Kanthan had said that the LTTE wants to purchase some boats and requested for a sum of LKR 180 million from Basil Rajapakse. Ranawaka claimed that Basil Rajapakse agreed immediately to provide the said amount of money and on a later day Basil Rajapaksa came with a number of large travelling bags to meet Emil Kanthan at the businessman's office to seal the deal.

Sri Lankan Government insisted that there is no room for the LTTE to regroup in Sri Lanka and that the unity of the country will be maintained. Power and Energy Minister and JHU General Secretary Champika Ranawaka said that the current Government does not have double standards on the LTTE like the previous regime. He said that the former Government had maintained ties with the LTTE both during and after the war but the current Government has no ties with the rebels. "We will not leave room for democracy to be threatened. We are actually going through a new stage of democracy in the country and we will not allow that process to be harmed. We give a firm assurance on National Security," he said.

Former LTTE Eastern Commander and former Deputy Minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralidharan alias Karuna Amman claimed, in an interview with an Indian TV channel, that the LTTE leader, Velupillai Prabhakaran, committed suicide by shooting himself with a firearm. Responding to a question made by a reporter during the interview, Muralitharan also revealed that Prabhakaran's wife and the daughter were killed by shell-fire during the final stage of the war. While praising Prabhakaran for his war strategies, Muralitharan, however, asserted that the LTTE was defeated owing to its unsuccessful war tactics. "If the LTTE had fought a guerrilla battle, it would not have lost," he added.

Sri Lanka's former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka rejected the claim made by the former LTTE commander turned ex-deputy minister Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman that the slain LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran committed suicide. In an interview with an Indian Tamil TV channel Karuna claimed that the LTTE leader shot himself with a firearm when capture seemed imminent. He denied that his former leader was captured, tortured and killed by Lankan troops.

Sri Lanka's AG Department told the Court of Appeal that no crimes involving the former LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP have been found during their examination. The examination was carried out by the AG Department in response to a writ petition filed by JVP Propaganda Secretary Parliamentarian Vijitha Herath citing that no legal measures have been taken against KP.

Sri Lanka's Tamil-controlled NPC unanimously called for an international probe into the alleged war crimes committed towards the end of the war with the LTTE. The Chief Minister of the NPC C.V. Wigneswaran passed a resolution rejecting the domestic process being proposed by the US and other members of the international community. While acknowledging the "long standing efforts" of the US and India along with the international community in securing justice, the NPC dismissed a domestic mechanism backed by the US as Sri Lanka has had a "long and blighted history of human rights violations' which according to the NPC amounts to genocide.

Former minister John Amarathunga said the government will be compelled to hand over former chief international arms procurer for the LTTE leader Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, if India wanted him in connection with the killing of former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Amarathunga said it had now been revealed that all evidence against KP, who provided the funds to the LTTE and nourished it had been completely destroyed during the Mahinda Rajapaksa regime. Under these circumstances it had become impossible for the Attorney General to file a case against him, he said. Although evidence against KP had been destroyed in Sri Lanka he was the only suspect living now in the case of Rajiv Gandhi murder, he said.

Propaganda Secretary of the NFF Mohamed Muzammil said, that by appointing TNA parliamentarian R. Sampanthan as the Opposition leader, the government had given undue recognition to the separatists. Muzammil, addressing a news conference at the party head office at Battaramulla, Colombo, said: "The national government has removed the check point at Omanthai and the High Security Zone as well as the Sampur army camp while releasing the LTTE suspects who were in remand." Those who pretend to be patriots and defenders of the country on political platforms and in TV talk shows in the run-up to the election like Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Patali Champika Ranwaka were today silent about threats to national security, he alleged. He also warned that the government was paving the way for separatism by yielding to the demands of those who were campaigning for it.

Sri Lanka will maintain the close relationship with China that provided strong support to help Sri Lanka end its 30-year civil war with the LTTE rebels in May 2009, Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka said. "Without China's support we would have not been able to finish the war, basically," Fonseka told Xinhua in an interview.

Addressing a media briefing in Batticaloa District, former Chief Minister of Eastern Province and the Leader of TMVP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan said that an international investigation into the alleged crimes committed during the 30-year war is not needed. Pillayan said a domestic mechanism is appropriate as there is a change in the governance. "LTTE has also committed serious war crimes. And the Tamil people also have allowed them the opportunity to commit crimes," BBC Sandeshaya quoting the former LTTE leader said.

A report on alleged Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka during the Eelam War is likely to be presented on September 30 during the 30th session of the UNHRC. As per the present time table, the subject on Sri Lanka will come up during the third and final week of the Council's session, which starts on September 14 and concludes on October 2. Prepared by the OISL, the report is a sequel to the adoption of a resolution adopted by the UNHRC in March 2014, requesting the Commissioner to "undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the LLRC [which is February 21, 2002 to May 19, 2009]." The period signifies two events - the commencement of a ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE, and the conclusion of the Eelam War.

The LTTE launched a new Tamil Television channel 'Deepam' targeting European, Sri Lankan and South India Tamils. The station is run by Nediyawan, the LTTE leader based in Norway, who coordinated LTTE activities overseas on behalf of the LTTE International Secretariat. Perimpanayagan Sivaparam known widely as Nediyawan is opposed to TNA. He believes that the fight for separatism initiated by LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran should continue.

The NAFSO movement organised a roundtable in the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo, to discuss a report, titled "Let them come back to their places of origin in and with dignity", the study centered on the situation in 38 refugee camps in 27 villages. Completed in late August, the report indicated that about 35 camps have existed since the 1990s, but five of them were hitherto unknown. Some 1,536 families or 5,836 people live in the camps. However, about 30,000 people are still internally displaced on the Jaffna Peninsula. The island nation saw a brutal civil war between the government and Tamil Tigers, LTTE. The latter sought to create an independent state in the predominantly Tamil provinces of northern and eastern Sri Lanka. These areas bore the brunt of 30 years of bloody civil war between the army and rebels, and the civil war ended with the rebels' defeat.

Sri Lanka's AG, Y J W Wijayatilake clarified that the former LTTE international wing leader, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP, has not been exonerated of charges of terrorism, though, investigations into 46 of the 193 cases against him had revealed that he had no role to play in those acts of terrorism.

The intensification of the anti-government conflict in Syria has had a deleterious effect on Sri Lanka's internal stability and security more than six years after the island nation successfully defeated the LTTE, says IHS Jane's 360 weekly reports. According to the OSINT Summary report, after the final defeat of LTTE in May 2009, Sri Lanka has remained largely free of the threat of violence by non-state armed groups. However, as with many other countries, the intensification of the anti-government conflict in Syria, is threatening Sri Lanka's internal stability and security, as indicated by the events over the past several months. It has indicated that Sri Lanka is not immune to the danger posed by the radicalization and recruitment techniques of the IS and has necessitated an enhanced response by the Security Forces, the defense weekly noted.

The Government of Sri Lanka has been provided with a copy of the UN report on the investigation into the alleged war crimes committed during the final phase of the war against the LTTE. The report, scheduled for public release at the 30th session of the UNHRC will begins on Monday (September 14) in Geneva, according to a Foreign Ministry source. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera is expected to use the speech to lay out his Government's plan for reconciliation and a domestic accountability mechanism that he hopes will be endorsed by the Council.

A group of radical Tamils led by NPC members MK Shivaji Lingam and Ananthi Sasitharan are at the tail end of their four-day march from Kilinochchi to Jaffna, demanding an international inquiry into the charges of war crimes against the Sri Lankan armed forces, and an international court to try the alleged perpetrators. Speaking from Kaithady in Jaffna, Shivaji Lingam said about 50 people are in the rally, which will wind up at Sangiliyan Thoppu in Jaffna, which had been the seat of the Tamil kings of yore. "I am in the march both as a Tamil and as a victim of war crimes," said Ananthi Sasitharan. She had seen her husband Sasitharan alias Ezhilan, surrender to the Lankan army on May 16, 2009, at Mullaithivu. But till date, he is untraceable, with the army and every other agency saying that they have no information about him. Ananthi pointed out that her case is only one among hundreds of men and women of the LTTE who had voluntarily surrendered to the Lankan forces in the hope that they would not be killed. On why she rejected a Lankan domestic mechanism to probe crimes charges and render justice, Ananthi said, "We have had many domestic mechanisms in the past and all have failed."

The much-awaited report of the OISL will be made public on September 16. The report, concerning alleged war crimes, is a result of a resolution adopted in March 2014, calling upon the Commissioner to "undertake a comprehensive investigation into alleged serious violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes by both parties in Sri Lanka during the period covered by the LLRC." The LLRC dealt with the period between February 21, 2002 and May 19, 2009, signifying two events - the commencement of a ceasefire agreement between the Sri Lankan government and the LTTE and the end of the Eelam War. Announcing this during the inauguration of the 30th session of the UNHCR in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein said that along with the report, he would make his recommendations. According to a press release issued by the UN, a press conference would be held in Geneva on September 16, at 10. 30 am (local time).

The independent Brussels-based ICG says pursuing cases against former LTTE leaders who worked closely with the Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa government will be important to address Sinhalese perceptions that accountability is biased against the military. Releasing a statement on the Report of the UN Investigation on Sri Lanka, the ICG said it is important to pursue cases against LTTE leaders such as K. Pathmanathan ("KP") and V. Muralitharan ("Karuna"), and any other senior LTTE leaders who may be overseas to address the Sinhalese community's concerns on an investigation by the UN Human Rights Chief proposed "Hybrid Court". The Group said the report by the UN OHCHR on its OISL is a "compelling examination" of the abuses committed by all sides during the lengthy civil conflict and the steps required to pursue justice, accountability and reconciliation as part of democratic recovery.

Former Commander of Army Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who led the war against the LTTE, said "It was the LTTE which fired on civilians trying to flee to the army-controlled lines and killed them. The Lankan armed forces on the other hand had a policy of welcoming them and providing them safe shelter."

CM of Northern Province C.V. Wigneswaran presenting a statement to the NPC sessions welcomed the report of the OHCHR investigation on the alleged war crimes during the last phase of the conflict with the LTTE and urged the Government to implement its recommendations.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka will seek the consultations of foreign judges and lawyers for the domestic mechanism to probe the alleged rights violations during the military conflict with the LTTE within the legal framework allowed by the Constitution.

CID arrested two former cadres of LTTE for the assassination of TNA MP Joseph Pararajasingham in Batticaloa District on December 25, 2005.

Colombo

Ex-LTTE cadres detained at the Magazine Prison in Colombo launched a hunger strike urging the authorities to release them.

Colombo

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said there are no political prisoners held in any of Sri Lanka's prisons. He further said that there are 225 LTTE suspects held in the prisons currently.

Colombo

President Maithripala Sirisena promised to release the former LTTE cadres imprisoned for minor offenses before November 7.

Colombo

CID informed Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihan Pilapitya that drug kingpin Mohamed Siddeek arrested in Pakistan on charges of engaging in international drug trafficking had funded the LTTE.

Colombo

Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa charged that the Government was planning to produce former LTTE members, who are to be released from prisons in the near future, as witnesses against the armed forces for the proceedings of the proposed Hybrid Court.

The Paranagama Commission said that the principal reason for the loss of civilian life during the final phase of the war was the hostage taking and use of human shields by the LTTE.

PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said that only the local extremists and LTTE sympathizers are against the domestic mechanism proposed in the UN resolution adopted at the UNHRC in Geneva.

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said that his Government had built a safety bunker under President's House to shield VIPs from potential LTTE air strikes.

President Maithripala Sirisena while addressing the Colors Awarding Ceremony of Army held at Army Headquarters in Panagoda town in Western Province vowed to protect security forces while facing allegations of right violations during the last phase of LTTE.

Presidential Commission Investigating Cases of Missing Persons chairman P. Paranagama said that an investigation team of the Commission will be conducting an independent, impartial inquiry into the alleged extra-judicial executions of surrendering top level members of the LTTE during the last stages of the conflict.

Attorney General filed four reports with the Court of Appeal on the activities of former LTTE leader, Kumaran Pathmanathan alias KP as a petition was filed by JVP MP, Vijitha Herath, in the Court of Appeal seeking the issuance of a Writ of Mandamus for the arrest of Pathmanathan allegedly for his role as an LTTE arms dealer and in the killing of Rajiv Gandhi.

Law and Order and Prison Reforms Minister Tilak Marapana while addressing a ceremony near the Pannai lagoon in Jaffna District said that the LTTE detainees put in the jail for minor offences or for want of legal aid could be released before the Deepavali festival.

Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan alias Karuna Amman, who was Special Commander of the LTTE in Batticaloa and Ampara Districts, said that the rift between him and LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran took place in December 2002 when the LTTE chief accused him of "betrayal" of the kind Mahendrarajah alias Mahattaya in the early 1990s.

21 LTTE suspects detained in prisons under the PTA requested to release them without rehabilitation when they were produced in the Colombo Magistrate's Court. They said they will resume the fast unto death if they were not released.

Colombo

31 former LTTE combatants who were released on bail were taken back to the prison after no one posted their bail. The Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court released the suspects on two surety bails of SLR 1 million each.

Colombo

24 ex-LTTE combatants who were detained for years under the PTA were released in Colombo on strict bail conditions after providing sureties from their places of residence.

Eight ex-LTTE suspects who were detained under the PTA were released on bail in Colombo. Colombo Additional Magistrate Aruni Attygalle ordered to release the suspects on two sureties of SLR one million each. They were also restricted from traveling abroad.

The fast launched by ex-LTTE suspects on October 12 calling for their release detained under the PTA has been called off following the Government's assurance to provide rehabilitation.

Government by a gazette extraordinary issued delisted several alleged pro-LTTE Tamil organizations and individuals proscribed by the previous Government in 2014. The previous government on March 21, 2014, listed 16 organizations and 424 individuals under the UN Act No: 45 of 1968.

National Dialogue Minister Mano Ganeshan said "Suspected LTTE members having more than one case against them is the reason for the delay in qualifying them for rehabilitation."

TNA spokesman MP M.A. Sumanthiran said that only three of the 20 LTTE detainees who were slated to undergo rehabilitation prior to release are eligible for rehabilitation.

Police Media spokesman ASP Ruwan Gunasekara said that since LTTE is a banned terrorist organization, any activity related to the outfit is illegal under the terrorism prevention laws of the country.

Posters have been put up within the Jaffna University premises in Jaffna District requesting everyone to celebrate LTTE's 'Mahavira Day'.

'Mahavira Day', which commemorates the slain LTTE cadres, passed without incident in the Tamil-speaking parts of Northern and Eastern Provinces. Neither Northern Province Chief Minister C V Wigneswaran nor Tamil TNA leaders issued any condolence statement.

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga while addressing a media briefing at the head of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation said that the Government will set up a special war crimes court soon to probe the alleged war crimes committed during the last stage of the three-decade long LTTE war.

TID said five out of ten LTTE suspects, who have been arrested for involvement in terrorist activities and in remand custody, will be indicted in the Supreme Court.

Four rehabilitated LTTE cadres were released in Punthottam District and handed over to their relatives.

Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Prison Reforms Minister D.M. Swaminathan said that the Attorney General is studying the cases of 20 more LTTE suspects detained under the PTA to see whether they can be released.

Military spokesperson Jayanath Jayaweera said that following the end of the 30-year civil war between Government troops and LTTE rebels in 2009, 2,064 acres of land in the country had to be cleared from landmines. The war torn areas will be cleared of mines soon as only 64 acres of land now remained to be cleared.