WANNI: TASK FORCE-8 troops, engaged in search operations in the general area East of PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU on Thursday (2) night were excited to come across another large stock of gold jewellery, that had been kept hidden, apparently by Tiger terrorists after they had been either snatched or taken forcibly from civilians to be used afterwards in exchange of money.

The findings were made around 8.00 p.m. while troops were still digging the area for LTTE explosives and other paraphernalia.

The stock contained eight hundred and fifty-two bangles, one hundred and eighty-eight small bangles, twenty damaged bangles, twenty-six bangle parts and one bracelet. Most of the bangles, made into 5-7 piece bunches had been neatly kept hidden. Those jewelleries after proper documentation were to be handed over to authorities for onward action.

Earlier, similar types of stocks were uncovered and taken for safe-keeping and gradual return to their owners afterwards.

Meanwhile, troops continued their search and clear operations in ALAWEDDI, VISUAMADU, VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL, PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU, PUTHUMATTALAN, KARIYALWAYAL and PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU West areas on Thursday (2) and recovered four 60 mm mortar bombs, nine 60 mm mortar chargers, one hundred and nineteen Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), thirty-two RPG chargers, one RPG launcher, two booby traps fixed to  81 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar fuse, fifteen T-56 weapons, one T-56 magazine, one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven rounds of T-56 ammunition, one T-81 weapon, one T-97 weapon, one 40 mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), seventeen rounds of MPMG ammunition, one claymore mine, one claymore remote control, two 9V batteries, one YEASU hand set, two I-com sets, one T-90 weapon, three thousand six hundred and sixty-seven rounds of MPMG ammunition, three micro pistols, twelve micro pistol magazines, four cleaning rods, one 9 mm pistol with two magazines, one fuse, twelve rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, two 82 mm mortar bombs, eleven 82 mm mortar chargers, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) drum, twenty pouches, twenty-two packs, fifteen hand grenades, one anti personnel mine, one paddle gun and  some weapon spare parts, most of them kept either hidden or buried.

Meanwhile, troops operating in the EAST in a search and clear operation in SORUWILA area on POLONNARUWA-BATTICALOA boader and recovered one T-56 weapon, six T-56 magazines, one hundred and eighty T-56 ammunition, ten anti personnel mines, six anti personnel mine fuses, five electric detonators, 2 kg of C-4 explosives, one remote control device, one box filled with ball bearings, three pouches on the same day (2).

In the meantime, troops of Police Special Task Force (STF) on a tip off conducted a search operation in VERUGAL ISLAND area, VAKARAI Thursday (2) around 1.30 p.m. and recovered 5.5 kg of C-4 explosives and six feet long twenty Bangalore torpedoes buried in the area.

WANNI: TASK FORCE-8 troops, engaged in search operations in the general area East of PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU on Thursday (2) night were excited to come across another large stock of gold jewellery, that had been kept hidden, apparently by Tiger terrorists after they had been either snatched or taken forcibly from civilians to be used afterwards in exchange of money.

The findings were made around 8.00 p.m. while troops were still digging the area for LTTE explosives and other paraphernalia.

The stock contained eight hundred and fifty-two bangles, one hundred and eighty-eight small bangles, twenty damaged bangles, twenty-six bangle parts and one bracelet. Most of the bangles, made into 5-7 piece bunches had been neatly kept hidden. Those jewelleries after proper documentation were to be handed over to authorities for onward action.

Earlier, similar types of stocks were uncovered and taken for safe-keeping and gradual return to their owners afterwards.

Meanwhile, troops continued their search and clear operations in ALAWEDDI, VISUAMADU, VELLAMULLIVAIKKAL, PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU, PUTHUMATTALAN, KARIYALWAYAL and PUTHUKKUDDIYIRUPPU West areas on Thursday (2) and recovered four 60 mm mortar bombs, nine 60 mm mortar chargers, one hundred and nineteen Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG), thirty-two RPG chargers, one RPG launcher, two booby traps fixed to  81 mm mortars, one 81 mm mortar fuse, fifteen T-56 weapons, one T-56 magazine, one thousand two hundred and sixty-seven rounds of T-56 ammunition, one T-81 weapon, one T-97 weapon, one 40 mm grenade launcher, one Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG), seventeen rounds of MPMG ammunition, one claymore mine, one claymore remote control, two 9V batteries, one YEASU hand set, two I-com sets, one T-90 weapon, three thousand six hundred and sixty-seven rounds of MPMG ammunition, three micro pistols, twelve micro pistol magazines, four cleaning rods, one 9 mm pistol with two magazines, one fuse, twelve rounds of 12.7 mm ammunition, two 82 mm mortar bombs, eleven 82 mm mortar chargers, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) drum, twenty pouches, twenty-two packs, fifteen hand grenades, one anti personnel mine, one paddle gun and  some weapon spare parts, most of them kept either hidden or buried.

Meanwhile, troops operating in the EAST in a search and clear operation in SORUWILA area on POLONNARUWA-BATTICALOA boader and recovered one T-56 weapon, six T-56 magazines, one hundred and eighty T-56 ammunition, ten anti personnel mines, six anti personnel mine fuses, five electric detonators, 2 kg of C-4 explosives, one remote control device, one box filled with ball bearings, three pouches on the same day (2).

In the meantime, troops of Police Special Task Force (STF) on a tip off conducted a search operation in VERUGAL ISLAND area, VAKARAI Thursday (2) around 1.30 p.m. and recovered 5.5 kg of C-4 explosives and six feet long twenty Bangalore torpedoes buried in the area.

Army Starts Tracing Owners of Recovered Gold Jewelry

COLOMBO: SRI LANKA ARMY authorities, conducting analytical investigations into gold jewelry stocks uncovered from      PUTHUKKUDIRUPPU areas have found that all those jewelry pieces had been apparently pawned to the so-called former “LTTE Eelam Bank” in that area.

Task Force - VIII troops participating in clearing and mopping up operations in PUTHUKKUDIRUPPU area at present came across 8709 packets that contained a wide assortment of gold jewelry, including necklaces, bangles, ear rings, chains, etc.

Each packet has however carried a duplicate receipt with names and other details of the pawning party after the original one has been issued to the owners at that time. Task Force - VIII troops during their clearing operations on 23rd June 2009 found the jewelry from a demolished building in the area and handed them over to authorities.

Sri Lanka Army, following names and addresses found in those packets has already sent detailed reports to WANNI military authorities, instructing them to trace whereabouts of those owners for subsequent possible return of their valuables.

The Sri Lankan Air Force paid tribute to fallen war heroes including 57 officers and 382 Airmen who have made their supreme sacrifice to obtain sustainable peace for Sri Lanka, today (July 3).

A commemoration parade was held at the Air Force base at Rathmalana preceding an all night Pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving for 50 priests, scheduled at the SLAF base Ekala on 03rd and 04th July, 2009.

Air Force Commander, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunethilake paid floral tribute to the War Heroes monument at the SLAF Base at Rathmalana this morning.

Troops of Task Force 3 engaging the search and clear operations in general area Alavedduvan area -Mullaittivu recovered 02 x 81mm Mortar Trapping yesterday (02 June ).

Meanwhile the Troops of Task Force 8 on information received to intelligence and security sub group of 56 Division, conducting search operations in general area Vellamullivaikkal recovered the following military items yesterday.

Same Troops engaging search operations in general area Puthukkudiyiruppu recovered the list of following war materials on the same day.

Same Troops of Task Force 8 recovered the following war materials in general area Puthumathalan.

In general area Kariyalvayal they uncovered the following items

Meanwhile on the information received to Intelligence and security sub group in Weli-Oya, troops of Task Force 8 recovered 2 x suicide jackets (5kg each) and 1036 (5.56 x45) Ammunition in Vellamullivaikkal area.

In Welikanda , SLA Troops recovered the following list of items during a search and clear operation conducted in general area Soruwila.

Recoveries made by the Intelligence and Security Sub Group of 56 Division during recent search and clear operations at the Mullaittivu battlefront
Recoveries made by the Intelligence and Security Sub Group of 56 Division during recent search and clear operations at the Mullaittivu battlefront
Recoveries made by the Intelligence and Security Sub Group of 56 Division during recent search and clear operations at the Mullaittivu battlefront

Through our planning and strategies to defeat the terrorism of the LTTE we have now endowed the world with the true art of humanitarian operations, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa at a ceremony to commemorate war heroes who were former students of Ananda Collage, Colombo.

The President said that when the troops were making their battle plans they also had to make plans in the political view to win the attention and confidence of the public.

The terrorists had a built a colossal propaganda network throughout the world. At each step we took forward, we knew the terrorists were ready to accuse us for human rights violations. No matter how many air strikes were launched or long range weapons used, we planned all such attacks to ensure that no civilian would get hurt. Hence, this mission was called a humanitarian operation. Through our planning, we have now endowed the world with the true art of humanitarian military operations, the President said.

Here is the text of the President’s address :

Today, we pay our tribute to the heroes who successfully accomplished a military mission that amazed the whole world and won a great victory. The people call their mission the second freedom struggle of the nation. As all schools that produced heroes in this mission receive deserving praise, we can see that Ananda College, Colombo, deserves exceptional recognition.

Leaders of this mission, t he Prime Minister and Deputy Minister of Defense, Rathnasiri Wickramanayake, Secretary Defense Gotabaya Rajapaksa , Commander of the Army, General Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Navy, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda , Director General of the Civil Defense Force , Sarath Weerasekara, are all products of Ananda College.

Likewise, a large number of second row commanders including Major General Jagath Dias, Major General Kamal Gunarathne, Brigadier Prasanna Silva, and Brigadier Chagi Gallage, too are products of Ananda College. Just as our humanitarian mission amazed the world, it is amazing that the majority of its commanders are products of Ananda. Yet, when looking at the history of the Ananda College, I believe that it is how it should be.

Friends,

Our history contains many decisive events. The arrival of the Arahat Mahinda, the war fought by King Dutugemunu, the arrival of King Wijayabahu, the work of Weliwita Asarana Sarana Sri Saranankara Maha Thero, are the most important events in the history of Sri Lanka. Similarly, the Panadura debate and the establishment of the Ananda College are key events that that took place after Sri Lanka surrendered her freedom to British rule in 1815.

My loving sons and daughters,

Ananda was first established in 1886 at the Buddhist Hall at No 61, Maliban Street, in Colombo. I have heard that a now there is private shop there. The attention of the nation should be drawn to this. Ananda was then established as an English medium Buddhist educational institution. We know that C.W. Lead Beater was chosen the first principal of Ananda under the guidance of Hikkaduwe Sri Sumangala Thero and Mohottiwatte Gunananda Thero. In 1895, Ananda was shifted to this place in Maradana owned by Mudaliyar Tudor Rajapakse.

Friends,

A nation cannot be built only with pounds, dollars and rupees. The lost freedom cannot be restored only with force or political means. We must work with foresight beyond towards the goal. It was with such foresight that Hikkaduwe Sumangala Thero acted when he established a Buddhist school at that time. Instead of sowing seeds of anti- imperialism by only shouting slogans, they established a school. Today that school has breathed more life and strength to the nation than crores of protest slogans. There were a number of other Buddhist schools established in the country in the wake of Ananda. Thinking was blended with the flesh and blood. The founding of Ananda is an important historic juncture in this country.

In those days, like a shade of Sal Trees, Ananda became a shelter for all people that were repressed by imperialism. Burgher teachers like Lead Beater, Muslim teachers like T.B. Jayah, Sundaralingam, Mettananda, and the like, teachers belonging to all religions and ethnicities taught in this college. Ananda treated all these nationalities and religions as a common heritage of our country.

We understand that the war heroes engaged in the noble mission were instilled with this value. From the inception, they acted with understanding that the Herculean mission given to them was not one conducted against a particular race but against a group of terrorists. Because of this leadership, not a single brick, or a roof tile belonging to any cultural or religious institution suffered damage in hands of our forces. That is the kind of leadership given by this educational institution.

Fiends,

From its inception, Ananda produced the best for national leadership of our country. They were as varied as Dr. S.A. Wickramasinghe, Philip Gunawardane, Dr. N.M. Perera, and Balangoda Ananda Maithree Thero. Though all these leaders excelled in different fields and political streams, they all processed one common quality. That is the love for their motherland, the love for their country. Thus, it is no wonder that today the leaders like those who dedicated their lives for the country were also from Ananda.

Friends,

The best weapon we had to defeat the world’s most ruthless terrorists was good leadership. This mission was an innings played by the leaders. Therefore, these war heroes not only become the pride of Ananda, but also teach a lesson for all schoolchildren in the country on how to be good leaders. To be a leader one required a good aim or goal

The leaders in this mission had a goal. Having goal is not enough; it has to be a just and righteous one. You all know that most leaders in the world like Hitler, Pol Pot and even Prabhakaran had their goals. But, their goals were not just or righteous.

All you loving children know that just as your fathers and mothers had to guard the gates of Ananda, the gates of all schools in the country had to also be guarded by parents. They did that to save you from the terrorist who butchered little Buddhist samaneras at Aranathalawa and children at Kebethigollewa.

The whole world accepted the correctness of the aim to rid the country of those savage terrorists. The selection of a righteous goal is not enough. One has to stick to that goal despite all odds.

You all know that these officers here are not those who joined the forces during last three years. The persons here are those who have engaged in operations against the terrorists for decades.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Sarath Fonseka were there in the Vadamarachchi Operation. Wasantha Karannagoda was the commander of the Navy in the East for a long time. Director General Sarath Weerasekara served on board DvoraFast Attack Craft for many years. It is same with the other officers. In the decade of the 90s they were comrades on the battlefields. Yet, these warriors were not led by those with a singular and clear goal… Having a righteous goal is not enough for a good leader, one has to stick to it and dedicate one’s life to realize of that goal. The leader, who abandons the goal when facing difficulties, destroys both lives and the nation.

Achieving the target and goal needs intelligent planning. We were required to protect Colombo city; the villages located close to terrorist bases; country’s main cities, power stations, fuel stores and refineries, and also the huge reservoirs. Therefore, we had to prepare well before we began our march to Mavil Aru. We increased the strength of the armed forces, police and civil defense force. We trained them well. Their firepower was doubled and tripled.

Planning needs the consideration of possible challenges and difficulties that lie ahead. Some said that attacks with poisonous gasses would turn our forces back. Others predicted that our forces would meet their face difficulty during the monsoons in the Vanni. Yet, as we foresaw these challenges and planned proactively we could turn them for our own advantage. Instead of being scared and retreating, we marched ahead even in the monsoon season, making the terrorists helpless. Therefore, good planning not only helps to overcome the challenges but also to exploit them for own advantage.

When these warriors were making their plans on the battlefield, we also had to make plans in the political field to win the attention and confidence of the public. The terrorists had a built a colossal propaganda network throughout the world. At each step we took forward, we knew the terrorists were ready to accuse us for human rights violations. No matter how many air strikes were launched or long range weapons used, we planned all such attacks to ensure that no civilian would get hurt. Hence, this mission was called a humanitarian operation. Through our planning, we have now endowed the world with the true art of humanitarian operations.

A plan cannot be implemented alone. It needs a team. Remember, that there is no team without a leader. Therefore, there are number of points to be considered when a leader selects a team. When we commenced our war on terror, we focused our attention only on the capabilities of those who should lead the battle. We did not take one’s age or affinity towards us into account. The Buddha did not offer positions in the Sasana only because only because of being elderly in the order. Minister Channa expected a high position in the Sasana just because he came behind the horse of Prince Siddhartha who was journeying to attain Enlightenment.

Yet, the Sasana did not confer positions on such basis. It is the team that makes the leader. Thus, when selecting an exceptional team, the leader has to select those who can bring him excellence. If positions are given on age or affinity, that leader will not last. We reason we won this unparalleled victory was because we stuck to the policy that the positions must be given only to those who are suit best for them.

My dear children, when selecting a team for any purpose, one cannot always have the perfect match. Perfect people cannot be found. Yet, the leader should have the ability to train and develop people who share his vision and goal. When we were recruiting soldiers to expand the forces, the majority of the youth who came to join were from poor remote villages. The schools they attended did not have cadet corps or special facilities for sports. But, we trained them. These armed forces commanders have developed a high class of professional soldiers that can serve in any armed forces in the world.

Friends,

You may remember the Home Guard service we had those days. That Home Guard service had no organized structure. We appointed a director general for this service. We institutionalized it and organized it. We gave them a systematic training and made them a special team. The service rendered by the Civil Defense Force in this battle was exceptional. A leader will never ditch his followers, or go looking only for the best. A leader should be able to develop supermen out of ordinary people. From our village youth, we have now developed warriors who can fight in any armed force in the world.

A leader must always motivate his team. There are many ways of motivating a team. Do not expect only the performance of the duty from your subordinates. Their welfare must be looked after. We developed the “Api Venuven Api” concept; we went to their homes and looked after their problems. We are building 50,000 houses for them, and we are building Ranaviru schools for their children. That is one way of motivating your team.

On the other hand, the genuine commitment of the leader to one’s goal is another factor that increases the strength and motivation of the team. We enrolled our children to the armed services. The Secretary Defense did not forget his duty even after he was attacked by a suicide bomber. Having suffered severe injuries from a suicide blast, the Army Commander returned to service within three months. Wasantha Karannagoda and Sarath Weerasekara were always in the frontline. Not a single fraud was allowed in the forces. That integrity is another way that a leader can increase courage in his team.

Also, a leader must always represent his followers. You should not evade them. They should be protected. Therefore, I said, criticize me, sling mud at me, but do not criticize the forces, specially the officers and soldiers in the northern front. The Secretary Defense went to the courts to defend for the honor of the armed forces.

The Deputy Minister of Defense always stood for the forces during heated parliamentary debates on the Emergency Regulations.

Likewise, when the leader stands for his team, the followers would be ready to even ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause.

In victory, always give the credit to the team. In defeat, the shortcomings must be accepted by the leader. Thus, leader should be able to keep the team spirit alive in his team. The team spirit must always prevail in any team. In order to do this, the leader must not succumb to hatred. If mistakes or even enmities are avenged, the team spirit cannot be preserved.

Nothing is impossible in this world. The reason for our failures is the abandoning of good goals by considering them as unattainable. There are only difficult tasks ahead of us, and nothing impossible.

It is not the way of a good leader to give up the effort to achieve something, just because it is difficult. Therefore, never give up an effort towards a good objective, just because it is difficult.

When these leaders dedicated themselves for their objectives they never felt the difference between the night and the day. They not only made use of the daylight but also the darkness of the night. Some great victories were achieved by operating in the dark.

Leaders see no deference between night and day. There are no good times and bad times for them to do the needful. There is only the right time and the wrong time for something. That is how time should be managed.

My dear children,

Remember that you will not be able to achieve personal success without achieving the common good. That is the truth taught by the heroic troops. They worked 365 days of the year. Not only the fighting, they also they performed all other duties. They never circumvented any of those duties saying that they do not fall in to a soldier’s job. They did everything from being midwives to caring for children. Yet, they did not demand workers’ rights, or higher salaries. They did not think of their own personal lives. They took their job as a duty for the country but not as a job.

What is a profession? It is a duty performed for the country. Whether the selected job is in the armed forces or not, one should be determined to serve the motherland and all humankind by performing that job.

Any professional must be dedicated to serve the country. Before being a leader, and before being a professional, one must be a good citizen. We should hold in our hearts a verse penned by Ven. S. Mahinda Thero of Tibet, the great poet of our independence struggle who taught at Ananda College:

Part of the life you have

It for the nation, the people,

You do not give, my son,

You give this world nothing.

Part of your life belongs to this nation. If you are to pay tribute to those who were ready to lay their lives for this nation, then I ask that you prepare yourselves to offering part of your lives to this country.

I wish you a bright and successful future.

Courtesy : PRIU

WANNI: ARMY troops, now busy clearing general areas surrounding PUTUKUDIRIPPU EAST, PUTHUKUDIRIPPU WEST and VELLAMULLAIVAIKKAL areas came across an explosive-laden LTTE water scooter with diving accessories and found a massive stock of military items on Wednesday (01).

Those items included one water-scooter, filled with 22 Kg of C-4 explosives,  one thermo baric weapon four twin barrels, eleven Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, two unusable RPG bombs,  three RPG chargers, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two claymore mines, six unusable claymore mines, seventeen Hand Grenades, five unusable Hand Grenades,  forty seven 81mm mortar bombs, one 81mm illuminating bombs, two 84mm HE mortar bombs, three hundred and fifty 60mm bombs, two hundred and thirty-five 60mm mortar fuses, ninety cartridges, six 60mm illuminating mortars,   sixty-six mine fuses, four T-56 magazines, five T-56 body parts, six Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) links with ammunition, one 12.7mm gun, nine I- Com radio sets, two YEASU radio sets, one I-Com IC V 68 Hand set, one Laptop computer,  one 5 ft long plastic tube with explosives, two Scuba Pro Jet Fin Diving Shoes (couple), one Scuba Pro Jet Fin Diving Shoe (single), one Scuba Pro Tuning Jet Diving shoe (couple), one Scuba Pro Tuning Jet Diving Shoe (single), two Dacor Shoe (single), three Décor shoes (couple), one Scuba Max (single), three diving kit accessories, one more piece of a diving kit, eighteen American Scuba diving kits, two American head competes, two hand couples, five American Scuba Divers socks, one Scuba Pro hand Glove, two Hand Gloves (single), twenty Cylinder Brackets, ten Tuning Compressor oil cans (small), five Head Touch units, one Komba Compressor oil can (medium), eight caps, two torches, thirteen synthetic compressor renal oil can (small), nineteen American Scuba Diving Shoes Couple (Small), one Bauer compressor, five Appollo Hand Scooters, two Sea Doo Hand Scooters, one surface station, one Aquacom Single Side Band, twenty-five Amscud filters, two Scuba Pro Knives, one Diving Mask, three Diving Cylinder Tanks, three regulators, three Amsquite regulators, one Dacko Presser LP Tested, one Scuba Max XR – 2002 Regulator, one Dacko air time remaining, six Scuba Foro Jonsen Regulator, three Safety Goggle, eleven Paioni Safety Goggles, six Hand watch compasses, four Depth Indicators, one Mann Pico, one Patrone Filter, four Nachtilicht Life Buoy Light, three life lights, eight Freboury Air Cylinders, five American diver cylinders (with regulator), one Air gas cylinder (large), three extra Diving cylinder sets (with rubber bags), eight Freboury Air Cylinder Regulators, four American Scuba Diver Cylinder regulators, one PSI Wick Meter, one different meter,  two Saeko Divers,  two Mouth Tubes, thirty Mouthpieces, one under water signal item, three American Scuba Diving Kit side pocket, thirteen multi barrel cells, one multi barrel A/TK cell, ten multi barrel klaser cells, one 122m  Arty cell, ninety seven Thamilan Hand Grenades, fifteen 82-2 Hand Grenades, seventeen M 4 Hand Grenades, eight type 97 Hand Grenades, one hundred and seventy Arul rifle grenades, one T 56 M III Weapon, three T 56 cocking handles, two cocking handles with bolt, one T 81 bolt carrier,  eighty three 12.7mm ammunition, one Explorist 300 Magellan GPS, one 40mm Grenade Launcher cartridge, one suicide jacket (5 KG), five thousand six hundred and forty nine 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, twelve Baba Mortar cell  fuses, one pull switch with remote, twenty five electric detornators, one antenna cable, one commando shovel, one camera stand TH-650-DV, two thousand eight hundred and fifty one 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, sixty five 5.56 ammunition, 100m of  detonator code wire, one micro pistol with a magazine, eight micro pistol ammunition, one Type 4/54 compass, one unusable wire role, one T-56 Weapon, one T-56 magazine,  fifty seven LTTE photos, six Outboard Motors, one M 16 barrel, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) barrel, three LMG links, 70 kgs of explosives, one combat kit, eleven detonators, thirty one paddle gun ammunition, sixteen Arul bombs, three C-4 explosive filled slippers, twelve T-56 receiving covers, one T-56 gas tube, five T-56 pistons, nine T-56 bolts, four T-56 returning springs, eleven T-56 hammer springs, one SLR magazine, nineteen unusable SLR ammunition,   one T 81 receiving cover, one model 88-12 API (without barrel and piston grouse), four Anti Personnel Mine fuse and one shot gun.

GENERAL Sarath Fonseka, Commander of the Army made his first visit to the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters Thursday (2) morning upon successful end of the Eelam War that brought about immense destruction to the country.

Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe, Commander Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna received him on arrival and conducted him to the Headquarters premises where a Guard Turnout plus a Guard of Honour greeted him in accordance with military traditions. Both honours were accorded their visiting military chief by 8 Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (8 SLSR) troops. General Sarath Fonseka after inspection of the parade received the salute from the special dais, erected for the occasion.

General Fonseka afterwards separately addressed both officers and other ranks, assembled at the venue and spoke high of their contribution, dedication and commitment during the peak of LTTE terrorism and its culmination. Highlighting the importance of all-time preparedness, conduct of humanitarian services, de-mining, continued training for soldiers, etc General Fonseka reminded that better training sessions would now remain available in the future and it would, in his opinion enormously help soldiers receive their career promotions as time goes.

During his meeting with 51,52,55 Division General Officers Commanding, field officers and Task Force Commanders, General Sarath Fonseka received a comprehensive update on the prevailing security concerns in the peninsula. He also assessed possible future scenarios and stressed the need to maintain surveillance at all times. He also gave instructions on several lines of thought before he left for Colombo, the same evening.

WANNI: ARMY troops, now busy clearing general areas surrounding PUTUKUDIRIPPU EAST, PUTHUKUDIRIPPU WEST and VELLAMULLAIVAIKKAL areas came across an explosive-laden LTTE water scooter with diving accessories and found a massive stock of military items on Wednesday (01).

Those items included one water-scooter, filled with 22 Kg of C-4 explosives,  one thermo baric weapon four twin barrels, eleven Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) bombs, two unusable RPG bombs,  three RPG chargers, one Improvised Explosive Device (IED), two claymore mines, six unusable claymore mines, seventeen Hand Grenades, five unusable Hand Grenades,  forty seven 81mm mortar bombs, one 81mm illuminating bombs, two 84mm HE mortar bombs, three hundred and fifty 60mm bombs, two hundred and thirty-five 60mm mortar fuses, ninety cartridges, six 60mm illuminating mortars,   sixty-six mine fuses, four T-56 magazines, five T-56 body parts, six Multi Purpose Machine Gun (MPMG) links with ammunition, one 12.7mm gun, nine I- Com radio sets, two YEASU radio sets, one I-Com IC V 68 Hand set, one Laptop computer,  one 5 ft long plastic tube with explosives, two Scuba Pro Jet Fin Diving Shoes (couple), one Scuba Pro Jet Fin Diving Shoe (single), one Scuba Pro Tuning Jet Diving shoe (couple), one Scuba Pro Tuning Jet Diving Shoe (single), two Dacor Shoe (single), three Décor shoes (couple), one Scuba Max (single), three diving kit accessories, one more piece of a diving kit, eighteen American Scuba diving kits, two American head competes, two hand couples, five American Scuba Divers socks, one Scuba Pro hand Glove, two Hand Gloves (single), twenty Cylinder Brackets, ten Tuning Compressor oil cans (small), five Head Touch units, one Komba Compressor oil can (medium), eight caps, two torches, thirteen synthetic compressor renal oil can (small), nineteen American Scuba Diving Shoes Couple (Small), one Bauer compressor, five Appollo Hand Scooters, two Sea Doo Hand Scooters, one surface station, one Aquacom Single Side Band, twenty-five Amscud filters, two Scuba Pro Knives, one Diving Mask, three Diving Cylinder Tanks, three regulators, three Amsquite regulators, one Dacko Presser LP Tested, one Scuba Max XR – 2002 Regulator, one Dacko air time remaining, six Scuba Foro Jonsen Regulator, three Safety Goggle, eleven Paioni Safety Goggles, six Hand watch compasses, four Depth Indicators, one Mann Pico, one Patrone Filter, four Nachtilicht Life Buoy Light, three life lights, eight Freboury Air Cylinders, five American diver cylinders (with regulator), one Air gas cylinder (large), three extra Diving cylinder sets (with rubber bags), eight Freboury Air Cylinder Regulators, four American Scuba Diver Cylinder regulators, one PSI Wick Meter, one different meter,  two Saeko Divers,  two Mouth Tubes, thirty Mouthpieces, one under water signal item, three American Scuba Diving Kit side pocket, thirteen multi barrel cells, one multi barrel A/TK cell, ten multi barrel klaser cells, one 122m  Arty cell, ninety seven Thamilan Hand Grenades, fifteen 82-2 Hand Grenades, seventeen M 4 Hand Grenades, eight type 97 Hand Grenades, one hundred and seventy Arul rifle grenades, one T 56 M III Weapon, three T 56 cocking handles, two cocking handles with bolt, one T 81 bolt carrier,  eighty three 12.7mm ammunition, one Explorist 300 Magellan GPS, one 40mm Grenade Launcher cartridge, one suicide jacket (5 KG), five thousand six hundred and forty nine 7.62 x 39mm ammunition, twelve Baba Mortar cell  fuses, one pull switch with remote, twenty five electric detornators, one antenna cable, one commando shovel, one camera stand TH-650-DV, two thousand eight hundred and fifty one 7.62 x 54mm ammunition, sixty five 5.56 ammunition, 100m of  detonator code wire, one micro pistol with a magazine, eight micro pistol ammunition, one Type 4/54 compass, one unusable wire role, one T-56 Weapon, one T-56 magazine,  fifty seven LTTE photos, six Outboard Motors, one M 16 barrel, one Light Machine Gun (LMG) barrel, three LMG links, 70 kgs of explosives, one combat kit, eleven detonators, thirty one paddle gun ammunition, sixteen Arul bombs, three C-4 explosive filled slippers, twelve T-56 receiving covers, one T-56 gas tube, five T-56 pistons, nine T-56 bolts, four T-56 returning springs, eleven T-56 hammer springs, one SLR magazine, nineteen unusable SLR ammunition,   one T 81 receiving cover, one model 88-12 API (without barrel and piston grouse), four Anti Personnel Mine fuse and one shot gun.

A streamlined process to facilitate the students facing the upcoming General Certificate of Advanced Level (G.C.E. A/L), Ordinary Level (O/L) and Year five scholarship examinations has been duly put in place in the ‘Transitional Camps’ in Vavuniya, Commissioner General of Examinations, Anura Edirisinghe said today while on a visit to the Kadiragamar Relief Village.

A total number of 750 students housed in these Transitional Camps will face this year’s G.C.E. A/L while the number of students for the year 5 examination stands at around 5000, he added.

A new temporary identity card that can be produced at the upcoming examination will be introduced to the candidates facing the G.C.E. A/L examination in these relief villages with immediate effect, Commissioner General further said.

The Department of Examination distributed several educational material including past examination papers and model answer sheets containing guidelines for preparation for the respective examinations.

Commissioner General Edirisinghe noted that these materials will immensely assist candidates who are preparing to face the examinations in this year in all grades.

The Government paid priority in re-establishing the education of the students in these camps after providing them with other basic needs such as shelter, sanitary facilities, and medicine.

Courtesy : Government Information Department