Advances, Assassinations and Beef-ups

Troops advancing ahead of the Forward Defence Line in North Mannar have captured an area of about one square kilometer north of Parappakandal. Around 10 LTTE cadres have been killed in this fight. The SLA is not keen on holding this ground and may maintain a light presence in the area. A counter attack launched by the LTTE using mortars was successfully repulsed with own artillery. Five soldiers were killed in the fight. The LTTE uses mainly mortar shells in this sector due to a shortage of ample artillery shells.

In a separate incident, Special Task Force Commados have killed an LTTE Military Wing Leader in Batticaloa at Eravur today. Police Commandos claim that the suspect, who was being trailed for sometime, had launched a grenade attack at troops lying in ambush prompting a counterfire killing the suspect on the spot. Commandos claim they recovered a Mico Pistol and a Handgrenade from his possession. The suspect was not wearing a suicide capsule or jacket at the time.

Meanwhile the Security Council which met today has decided to increase security to all MPs following the assassination of the Nation Building Minister D.M. Dassanayake yesterday. The Speaker and the Prime Minister have requested the Inspector General of Police to increase security to all MPs despite a contrary Gazette Notification issued several weeks ago. Several Tamil MPs had complained of a drastic reduction in their security, which may have resulted in the January 1st assassination of MP T. Maheswaran. However, Minister Dassanayake's assassination indicates that all MPs, regardless of their race or paygrade, have been equally affected by security lapses.

MPs' security tightened

All parliamentarians will be provided with at least 04 police officers for their security, according to the new security arrangements worked out by the Speaker of the Parliament, W.J.M.Lokubandara, Parliament and Police officials said.
MPs who have had death threats will be provided with additional guards with escort and back up vehicles, depend on the threat level that they are facing, Speaker told the Parliament this morning. He made this order after discussed the matter with Prime Minister Rathnasiri Wickremanayake, yesterday, it is learnt.
Legislators’ security was rearranged, after the growing opposition against the killing of Tamil lawmaker on the New Year’s dawn at a Hindu Temple in Colombo after his security was reduced from 18 to two. It was done two weeks prior to his assassination.
Another legislator cum minister was killed yesterday when the suspected Tamil Tigers carried out a claymore bomb attack at Ja-Ela, while he was travelling towards Colombo.
Nation Building Minister D.M.Dassanayake was the second MP who was assassinated within eight days. It comes just before the ceasefire formally ends next week. The truce had been in place since 2002, but it had been observed in the breach in the past two years.
Security is tightened this morning after yesterday’s twin bomb blast at Ja Ela and Colombo, the latter blast did not cause any casualties.
But Air Force Commander went passing the area few minutes before the explosion which was inside a telephone booth in front of the Lake House.
Heavy traffic jams were seen on roads in every corner of the Capital in the morning as police and military were checking suspicious vehicles and persons entering the city.
The supreme court which ordered last month to slash the security check points, also prohibited night search operations on houses unless there were extraordinary reasons.