4 civilians killed in a boarder village as LTTE leader marks his birthday

At least four civilians were killed by a group suspected to be LTTE in Willachchiya,a boarder village in Anuradhapura district as LTTE supremo marks his 53rd birthday today.
"Bullets ridden bodies, including a female were found at around 08.45am,all were farmers according to villagers",a senior military official said.
Army has started corden and search operation in the area and hundreds of heavily armed soldiers seen in the area, residents said.
Similarly 05 civilians were killed in two different incidents in Ranminithenna,a boarder village near Yala National Park early this month.
Security forces have arrested at least 08 persons regarding those incidents and all are Sinhalese,police sources said.

Another Heroes Day: Business As Usual

The Sri Lanka Air Force bombed a LTTE communication site in Kilinochchi last morning. The location was completely destroyed. Ground forces believe around 4 LTTE cadres had been killed in the attack. LTTE as usual claims they were all civilians. The Tiger communication site had around 4 satellite dishes. In recent months, the LTTE has taken steps to distribute its communication assets evenly among several locations to avoid losing them in a single attack. Some of these sites are located in civilian neighbourhoods.

Meanwhile pro-LTTE media have claimed LTTE units had killed a 'DPU' trooper at Kaddaiyadampan in Mannar. There are no LRRP troops (referred to as DPU by LTTE) in this area. Kaddaiyadampan is situated in close proximity to the Army's readjusted FDL. Only regular infantry troops are deployed in this sector, which does not rate high on the LRRP's list of places to infiltrate. Tigers have also accused the 'DPU' of attacking civilian ambulances in Oddusudan and Pooneryn yesterday ahead of LTTE Leader Pripaharan's annual 'Heroes Day' speech tomorrow. Although LRRP units have infiltrated the area many times, they have not engaged in any attacks on civilians. The LTTE has taken many precautions ahead of the 'Heroes Day' speech. Large numbers of LTTE troops and paramilitary units have been observed picketing along many of the roads and byroads in Kilinochchi and Mullaithivu to prevent LRRP strikes against LTTE leaders traveling to Tiger ceremonies.

DefenceWire has also learnt that the Air Force is to take delivery of a new consignment of UAVs from a Middle Eastern Country. The UAVs procured are unarmed UAVs. Armed UAVs that can function in a reconnaissance, as well as a strike-role have been refused. Such units are sold only to 'Friendly' countries with specific government-to-government 'understandings'.