THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India (Reuters) - Heavily armed commandos locked down a stretch of the southern Indian coast on Monday and began a house-to-house search for a group of suspected Tamil Tiger rebels from Sri Lanka, police said.

While doubtless the assaults on the Sri Lankan State will continue, at least until the Tigers can no longer operate either from our shores or elsewhere, I believe the last few weeks have helped us to clarify certain misconceptions.

A total of 1648 civilians, including 709 children, have sought protection with security forces in the borders of Palamathalan yesterday (March 30), despite LTTE mounted artillery shelling and mortar attacks from the government declared No Fire Zone (NFZ). 

According to military, the civilians including 309 men, 630 women, 357 boys and 352 girls had arrived and taken to safety by troops of the 58 Division yesterday.

Known For The Controversy With Fellow Sri Lankan Artist M.I.A., DeLon Continues to Stand For A Cause and Progress Hip Hop Internationally. 

LOS ANGELES: PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----DeLon, an International Recording Artist, American born, Sri Lankan bred, yet raised in both worlds, is preparing his new album Blueprint for a Revolution to be released Fall '09. His single release is only two months away.

Nadira Gunatilleke  

The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has made arrangements to send eight lorries of life saving drugs to the Padaviya, Vavuniya, Mulaitivu and Pulmudai (field hospital) hospitals.

By Don Pathan, Supalak Ganjanakhundee 

The Nation  

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama warned yesterday that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) could transform themselves into hired hands for international criminal elements, including terrorist organisations, and urged countries in the region to take extra precautions.

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

President Mahinda Rajapaksa has ruled out the idea of a government declaration of a ceasefire in the North, saying such a step would only give the LTTE an opportunity to drag out the war for another 25 years.

The first five years of a child's life is critical for brain development. It is critical not only because of the rapidity of brain development during this period, but also because it is a period when brain development is most susceptible to external influences that determines the intellectual functioning.

Colombo (Asiantribune.com): The Government of Sri Lanka is committed towards developing a partnership with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in promoting a new era of peace through reconciliation among the different communities and implementing an economic plan to reconstruct the war ravaged North of the country.

The government dispatched another large consignment of food and medicine for the use of innocent Tamil civilians who were forcibly held by the LTTE terrorists in government declared no fire zone.

The LTTE has lost the entire land area under its control save about one sq. km. Before the present phase of war began in 2006, the LTTE held over 15,000 sq. km in the North and the East. But, today it has taken refuge in the no-fire zone behind a human shield. In fact, the term no-fire zone has lost its meaning as the LTTE is using it to mount attacks on the army. It is a no-fire zone only for the troops.

B. Muralidhar Reddy  

Tigers cornered now in 21.5 sq km; eight militants killed and 17 wounded

Colombo: The Sri Lankan military on Sunday claimed that it had taken control of the last supply route of the LTTE in Mullaithivu district.

The Tigers are cornered now in 21.5 sq km, including 20 sq km declared by the government as “no fire zone” to enable the stranded civilians to escape.

The tenth session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva has come to a close without the anticipated assault on the Sri Lankan state. This had been on the cards for quite some time, beginning with the motion against Sri Lanka that had been put forward three years ago. Fortunately some concerted diplomatic action, involving regular briefings of all states who were genuinely interested in the country, saw that motion scratched in 2007, and since then there was much less pressure.

The Sri Lankan delegation led by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights successfully participated in the tenth session of the UN Human Rights Council which concluded its 4-week long session today, 27 March 2009, in Geneva. The Sri Lankan delegation’s proactive engagement with all stakeholders ensured that heavy pro-LTTE lobbying as well as a two-pronged attempt by a few EU members to secure a statement in the Council on the situation in Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner for Human Rights or the Council’s President, proved abortive.

Special Correspondent

In a letter to Karunanidhi, he also refers to condition of Tamils in island nation 

CHENNAI: Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa “very recently affirmed his commitment to a devolution package, which he said would fully satisfy the Tamils,” Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said in a letter to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

By Ravi Ladduwahetty in Colombo 

Colombo (Asiantribune.com): President Mahinda Rajapaksa last night assured eleven minority political parties that their democratic rights will be restored soon. 

In wide ranging discussions at a meeting which commenced at 6.30 p.m. and lasted over two and a half hours, President Rajapaksa had given this assurance. Following a request from the minorities as to whether Local Government elections could be held in the Vanni District, the President had assured that he will respond to the request following his consultations with the Commanders of the Security Forces.

The Sri Lankan Government wishes to remain fully engaged with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay and her office in addressing any particular issues of concern relating to human rights.

In a further demonstration of the Government policy of engagement with the international community relating to the current situation in Sri Lanka, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN, New York, Ambassador H.M.G.S Palihakkara briefed the Members of the UN Security Council during an informal interactive discussion on Thursday, 26th March 2009.  Sir John Holmes, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator also briefed the gathering. The meeting was held outside the formal structure of the UN Security Council. During the briefing, Ambassador Palihakkara addressed three broad aspects of the current situation - humanitarian, security and political.

Pottu Amman and Soosai directing Tiger cadres in battlefront

With the Sri Lankan Army advancing into their last stronghold, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam are facing grave difficulties in their attempt to slow down the army’s progress in what could be safely termed the last phase of the Eelam war. Among the many difficulties assailing the LTTE are shortage of arms and trained cadres, lack of proper military planning and especially the weak leadership. With the rapid advance of the troops, the LTTE leadership has become very weak, in the recent past, according to the former LTTE cadres, who fled to the cleared areas. Due to the situation, several leaders were reportedly under house arrest including former LTTE military spokesman Ilanthariyan and Peace Secretariat Head Pulidevan. Now no one knows the whereabouts of these two senior leaders. It was learnt that they were captured while attempting to flee the area

The fourteenth batch of 488 patients and civilians was evacuated on board "MV Green Ocean" on the 26th March 2009. The evacuation of patients and civilians trapped in LTTE clutches in the un-cleared areas in Mullaithivu is being carried out under the ICRC flag. Sri Lanka Navy is providing safe passage for evacuees on humanitarian grounds.