COLOMBO (AFP) – Sri Lankan troops on Monday captured two more strategic towns from Tamil Tiger rebels following fierce fighting in the north of the island, the defence ministry said.

Security forces entered the town of Mankulam, about 30 kilometres (20 miles) south of the de facto Tamil Tiger political capital of Kilinochchi, government defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said.

Kalana Senaratne reflects on the life and work of a remarkable Sri Lanka and a truly global citizen. 

I had picked up a small book on 'The World Court' from a dusty shelf of a bookshop close to my home, in Nugegoda. I had flipped through it, realized the importance of its content, and decided to purchase it. I had heard much about the author and even read some of his previous publications. But I didn't know where he was or what he was doing, then. The small print in the book referenced to a 'Weeramantry International Centre for Peace Education and Research (WICPER)' established in Colombo - the existence about which I had not known until then. The author must have returned home from The Hague, I thought.

 By Andrew Buncombe

Why are we asking this now?

The Sri Lankan military said over the weekend that it was now in control of the entire western coast of the country, having captured the key strategic area of Pooneryn. This stronghold has been under the control of the Tamil Tiger rebels (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam – LTTE) since 1993 and the capture of the city means that for the first time in more than a decade government forces have in their grasp a land route all the way to a ferry that can easily bring supplies to the northern city of Jaffna.

[COLOMBO, SinhalaNet] His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has congratulated the valiant soldiers who liberated the Poonaryn area from terrorist clutches on Nov 15.

Addressing the nation through the state media, President Rajapaksa declared the Army's victory at Pooneryn and congratulated the soldiers. He also expressed his gratitude to the citizens of the country who have been sharing his vision to rid the country of terrorism and to free the next generation from the horrors of war.

by DAYAN JAYATILLEKA

"I stand before you as someone who is not opposed to war in all circumstances. The Civil War was one of the bloodiest in history, and yet it was only through the crucible of the sword, the sacrifice of multitudes, that we could begin to perfect this union…" -- Senator Barack Obama, Oct 2, 2002, Chicago

In regard to the Tamil Nadu assembly’s call for a ceasefire and an end to military operations, President Rajapakse has spoken for the overwhelming bulk of his citizens when he just said no.

By C. Bryson Hull

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's military said troops seized the entire western coast of the Indian Ocean island on Saturday, capturing the key Pooneryn area where Tamil Tiger rebel artillery had kept soldiers at bay since 1993.

With the military controlling Pooneryn, a strategic spit of land that runs parallel to the neck of the northern Jaffna Peninsula across a narrow lagoon, it will be in a position to strike the rebel capital of Kilinochchi from three sides.

By KRISHAN FRANCIS, Associated Press Writer 

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lankan troops dismantled the last rebel defense on the island's west coast Saturday, securing a land route to the northern peninsula in a key victory against Tamil Tiger separatists, the government said. 

President Mahinda Rajapaksa in a televised speech hailed the capture of the town of Pooneryn and urged the rebels to lay down their arms and surrender, saying it would be the "greatest service" they could give the people living in areas of armed conflict. 

Rajapaksa said the latest military success meant the troops were now able to access the previously isolated, government-controlled Jaffna peninsula by land, instead of depending on boats and aircraft.

 Pillaiyan (L) shakes hands with M.L.A.M.Hisbulla .

The eastern provincial council election held a few months ago, was a defining moment in this country’s history. Like the great battle of Kurukshetra in the Mahabharatha, it saw everybody in the east divided into two clearly defined camps. It brought together traditional enemies onto one platform to defeat the common enemy. The LTTE and TNA sided with the SLMC and many independent Muslims sided with the TMVP. In the aftermath of the election, there was a tug of war between Pillaiyan and M.L.A.M.Hisbulla for the chief minister’s position. Now six months into the eastern government that was cobbled together by the president, minister Hisbulla speaks to C.A. Chandraprema of his relationship with the Tamil chief minister and the place of Muslims within the eastern provincial council.

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.