Image: Satellite imagery illustrates the evolution of Sri Lanka's Iranamadu airstrip. (Digital Globe)

Satellite imagery has revealed a number of runways in LTTE-controlled areas of Sri Lanka. This could either show civilian aspirations towards statehood or a desire to fly in weapons. Jane's looks at the evidence and suggests the latter is more likely. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is losing its war for an independent state in Sri Lanka.

Since the effective resumption of the conflict in 2006, it has lost control of the Eastern Province and seen its forces slowly pushed back in the north. The LTTE's priority must now be to ensure a continued supply of arms and ammunition to prevent further defeats.

NEW DELHI:  President Mahinda Rajapaksa Thursday told Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh the Sri Lankan Government was ready to talk peace with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) at any time if the latter lays down arms. In bilateral talks with the Indian Prime Minister on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit, President Rajapaksa said his primary aim was to eradicate terrorism and create a country where all communities can live in peace. The President said his government is fully committed to fulfil the humanitarian needs of the Tamil community living in the North and East. The President told the Indian Prime Minister the Tamil people are very much part of his responsibility as Head of State and Government and he would take all measures for their safety, security and welfare. "The Tamils are our people; we have been taking care of them and we will continue to take care," Rajapaksa said.

By C. Bryson Hull

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's political will and military planning will defeat the Tamil Tiger rebels, a legislator who fought with the guerrillas for more than two decades said on Thursday.

Ex-Tiger commander Vinayagamoorthi Muralitharan last month metamorphosed from ruthless guerrilla into parliamentarian and de facto spokesman for President Mahinda Rajapaksa's plan to devolve power to the Tamil minority.

New Delhi, (Asiantribune.com):

"Sri Lanka wholeheartedly supports the BIMSTEC Convention on Cooperation in Combating International Terrorism, Organized Crime and Illicit Drug Trafficking as an important and vital milestone in our efforts on counter terrorism,” said President Mahinda Rajapaksa addressing the 2nd Summit of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC), at New Delhi yesterday.

"Terrorist groups are able to sustain themselves by illegal fundraising, narcotics and people trafficking, money laundering using international networks, and arms and ammunition smuggling including through the sea routes in the Bay of Bengal. I urge you to consider setting up a mechanism to effectively police the seas of the Bay of Bengal, to deny these terrorists mobility and connectivity.”