Non Government Organizations leaving the LTTE held areas won't hinder the humanitarian activities of the civilians living in those areas, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa said, pointing out that the state has put in place a systematic mechanism to address all the necessary grievances of the Northern masses.

While commenting on the factors that led to urge these organizations to vacate from Wanni, Defence Secretary said that the decision was taken to ensure that no unfortunate incidents took place.

Colombo, Sep 16 (IANS)

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed confidence that his troops will crush the Tamil Tiger guerrillas “completely”, but he refused to set a time frame for a military victory.At a dinner meeting here at his heavily-guarded official residence Temple Trees, Rajapaksa told foreign correspondents Monday that the military authorities and the service commanders “are very happy with the progress they have made” in their fight to finish the campaign against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in the island’s north.

“We will completely crush the LTTE, but I do not want to set a time frame for it. It can be done. It will definitely take some time,” said Rajapaksa, warning that “some sleeping LTTE cadres” would still be left even after the tigers were defeated militarily.

Participating in this year s festival at the Narandeniya Central College grounds in Kamburupitiya today, the President opined it is the literates who can identify the pulse of the people. While guiding politicians, they should also take the lead in arraying the citizens to meet the national needs.

Speaking further, the President said peace and prosperity of a country will ensure a golden era of literary arts. Some contributions could be made to world literature only by identifying the pulse of the country s population.

Daya Gamage – US National Correspondent Asian Tribune Las Vegas, Nevada. 14 September (Asiantribune.com):

 A state senator who is destined to enter the United States Congress from the State of Nevada in a most favorable political climate for the Democratic Party this election year, declared that she understands that Sri Lanka’s Tamil Tigers is a terrorist movement and not a liberation organization and that they do not represent the minority Tamil grievances. Sri Lanka has taken a step forward in winning the heart of a U.S. lawmaker and to make the U.S. Congress understand the real issues confronting this Indian Ocean island nation.

'Machan', Oscar nominated Uberto Pasolini's Sri Lanka-Germany-Italy co-production which Premiered at the recently concluded ‘65th Venice Film Festival’ became the Best Film in the section 'Venice Day- 2008'.

About 11,000 Tiger guerrillas have been killed since the military launched its campaign to secure the Mavil Aru anicut in July 2006, Army Commander Sarath Fonseka told his officers on Friday. The toll was given during his quarterly address to officers of Grade 1 and above. They comprised selected officers from the ranks of Major up to Majors General. Some 200 of them, with the exception of those serving in operational areas, took part in the conference at Army Headquarters.

Lt. Gen. Fonseka said the Army was moving on four different fronts to regain control of the remaining areas in the Wanni. He said on one front, Pooneryn was only some 30 kilometres away. However, he did not identify the fronts in question. He said according to estimates provided by the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), only some 4,000 Tiger guerrillas now remained.

by: Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha

by: Ananth PALAKIDNAR  

The Bishop of Jaffna Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Savundharanayagam took part in a religious service at the Madhu Church yesterday for the first time since the shrine was liberated from the LTTE by the Security Forces a month ago. Jaffna Bishop Thomas Savuntharanayagam visited the shrine area and saw the renovation work carried out by the Security Forces, soon after the church was rid of the LTTE presence. Bishop Savuntharanayagam is also the first Bishop, in the Mannar diocese to visit the Madhu church for the first time since the shrine was liberated from the LTTE, Mannar Vicar General Rev. Anthony Victor Sosai told the Sunday Observer.

by: Ananth PALAKIDNAR

The Ministry of Resettlement and Disaster Management has allocated Rs. 15.2 million as compensation to families affected by violence in the Jaffna district, sources said. The allocation was made at the request of Minister of Social Services and Jaffna district Parliamentarian, Douglas Devananda, the sources said.