JUne 11

Strangely, both the Sri Lankan government and the pro-Eelam parties of Tamil Nadu seem to agree that Karunanidhi has once again become the rallying point for the Tamils. According to a spokesperson of the Sri Lankan foreign office, despite many flip-flops, Karunanidhi has managed to achieve what he wanted to achieve. "He has created a situation where the Sri Lankan government can no longer take India's help for granted. To that extent, we have become vulnerable," he says. More... Published: Sat Jun 10 21:10:50 EDT 2000

In the fighting both sides suffered heavy casualties, military sources said.

The fresh fighting erupted when Tamil Tiger rebels attempted to advance deep into government controlled territory from Chavakachcheri. But government troops equipped with state-of-art weapons fought pitched battles forcing the Tiger rebels to flee.

The fleeing prompted the battle commanders to order a limited operation against the rebels and push them to eastern coastal lines of northern Jaffna peninsula. But the rebels reinforced with additional cadres prevented the soldiers punching corridors by either killing or wounding a large number of soldiers belonging to a company, military officials added.

At the time of writing heavy battles were raging, with Sri Lankan air force fighter planes strafing LTTE targets north of A9 highway that is dubbed as highway of death. Fresh fighting came just 48 hours after government dedicated the day for fallen war heroes'.

And the fighting also followed after the assassination of minister for industries Clement Victor Gunaratnae by a LTTE suicide cadre. He was killed along with 22 others in a LTTE suicide attack just out side of the commercial city of Sri Lanka.

Military officials said the fighting was centered around Kodikamam, a big town located between Jaffna and Elephant Pass. The fighting also prompted the senior military officials in Colombo to convene an urgent meeting to review the security situation.

Tamil Tigers rebels, branded and banned as a terrorist organisation by the government of United States of America is fighting to create an independent homeland for minority Tamils. Published: Fri Jun 9 12:44:15 EDT 2000

Colombo: Three people, including a woman, were arrested on Thursday in connection with the LTTE suicide bomb attack here in which a senior minister and 23 others were killed. Police also established the identity of the suicide bomber, media reports said here on Friday.two businessmen and a woman were arrested on the basis of a letter recovered from the suicide bombers' clothes.

Incriminating evidence, suggesting that the three had provided a safe house for the suicide bomber or bombers along with transportation to carry out the attack, was obtained, the report said. A van purportedly used by the suicide bomber to reach the spot was also seized. Police have identified the suicide bomber as one 'Ruben' from the evidence they managed to collect so far, the report said. More... Published: Fri Jun 9 10:24:49 EDT 2000

The fighting escalated after Tamil Tiger rebels attempted a push deep into the peninsula from Chavakachcheri. But government troops anticipating the push counter attacked with heavy artillery and armoury forcing the rebels to retreat.

Military officials said the Tamil Tiger rebels were falling backwards with heavy casualties. However they refused to divulge the casualties of government troops. But independent sources said hat both sides suffered heavy casualties and heavy fighting was continuing. Published: Fri Jun 9 09:17:50 EDT 2000

Police named him as Ruban, a native of northern Wanni. In the Wednesday's attack the minister for Industries was killed along with 22 others during a peace rally in the suburbs of Colombo. The assassination sent shock waves through the defence circles, which immediately detailed troops and policemen on to the streets of Colombo to check vehicles and civilians entering or leaving the city.

Aftermath of the assassination, police raided Mortuwa university and apprehended 58 under graduates for questioning. Many of them were released subsequently as no evidence was found that they were involved in the attack.

The killings prompted human rights activists in Colombo to call for a negotiated settlement for the ongoing 18 years of bloody war that has claimed the lives of over 75,000 people.

Against the backdrop, the lull in the war theatre continued except for minor skirmishes between government troops and separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in northern Jaffna peninsula.

"It's definitely a calm before a major storm, both sides waiting one of them to make a move", a Colombo based diplomat told The Lacnet. On Thursday, the opposition leader Ranil Wickrmasinghe lambasted ruling-PA government for handling the war in a callous manner and questioned the government ministers of funds received to the fight the war. Published: Fri Jun 9 07:22:39 EDT 2000