Showing posts with label Sri Lanka Civil War. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sri Lanka Civil War. Show all posts

Saturday, February 8, 2014

More Claims Of War Crimes In Sri Lanka

 

War Crime Claims Re-Emerge In Sri Lanka -- Al Jazeera 

When troops crushed the Tamil Tigers, allegations of mass killings arose, but officials reject calls for an inquiry. 

In March 2009, in a small town in the north of the island, hundreds of Sri Lankan Tamils had formed a queue to collect kanji, a boiled rice-porridge dish, which was being distributed by a charity later found to have ties with armed groups.

Then the explosions began.

"I remember that one shell fell adjacent to the food distribution line, and when it exploded the shrapnel hit many civilians who were standing in line," said one eyewitness.

"I remember seeing many dead bodies... A number of these dead bodies were elderly people and children."

At the time, the north was the scene of the concluding stages of a 26-year civil war fought between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), an armed separatist organisation known as the Tamil Tigers, and government troops - a fight which the UN says may have claimed as many as 40,000 civilian lives in its final months.

Read more ....

My Comment: As long as the men who led the war (and final defeat) of the Tamils remain in power, there will never be a true account of what happened. But one day there will be an examination and the truth will come out .... but not now.

Friday, November 29, 2013

Sri Lanka Finally Starts To Count It's Civil War Dead



Sri Lanka To Start Tally of Civil War Dead -- Time

Count is an attempt to meet international demands for greater transparency over wartime losses and civilian disappearances

The government of Sri Lanka announced plans this week to conduct a nationwide census to tally “human and property damages” inflicted during the nation’s three decades of civil war.

“The death toll of civilians during the 30-year conflict has not been accurately assessed,” a Nov. 26 government statement read. “A UN panel probed the last phase of the war [and] has estimated that around 40,000 died while other independent reports estimated the number of civilians dead to exceed 100,000.”

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka Finally Tallying It's Civil War Dead

Sri Lanka counts war dead after pressure from abroad -- Reuters
Sri Lanka starts counting the civil war dead -- AP
Sri Lanka to compile toll of war dead -- Global Post/AFP
Sri Lanka set to begin survey of civil war dead -- BBC
Sri Lanka begins census of civil war dead, property losses -- UPI
Sri Lanka says 'nothing to hide' as it begins counting war dead -- Australia Network News

My Comment: The above video is a 2011 documentary from Channel 4 on Sri Lanka's "killing fields" during the civil war.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished



Sri Lankan Government ‘Executed Civilians During War With Tamil Tigers’ -- Daily Mail

A documentary showing graphic new footage of executed civilians in Sri Lanka, including the son of the leader of the Tamil Tigers, hopes to provide conclusive evidence of war crimes by its government.

A year after screening Jon Snow’s award-winning documentary Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields about the dying days of the civil war – Channel 4 has returned to the island to uncover more evidence of alleged abuse.

The 60-minute documentary, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished, will be screened days before the England cricket team flies out to the country.

Read more ....

More News On The Documentary Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished

Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished screened at Human Rights Film Festival 2012 -- Truth Dive
Sri Lanka: A child is summarily executed -- The Independent
Prabakaran's son's killing: Sri Lanka denies knowledge -- The Hindu
Why We Should Be Talking About Sri Lanka -- Niharika Mandhana, Time

My Comment: The above video is very powerful and disturbing, giving clear proof that members of Sri Lanka's military did commit war crimes at the end of the civil war. What's my take .... when I started this blog it was the Sri Lankan civil war that I first covered extensively. I posted proof of Sri Lankan military atrocities throughout the conflict .... as well as atrocities by the Tamil Tigers .... that is why this this Channel 4 documentary does not surprise me. In addition .... when the Sri Lankan military started their final campaign to rout the Tigers, I did comment in this blog that the Sri Lankan government had finally decided to go all out in ending the war, and that the bloodshed would probably reach numbers never before imagined .... but .... it would end the war. Sadly .... my predictions became true. The bloodshed and slaughter was merciless .... but it did end the conflict.

Unfortunately .... where the Sri Lankan government has failed is in the area of not winning the peace. It is astounding to see how deep the animosities still exist in that country .... on both sides. And with no willingness to come to some form of reconciliation and understanding, it would not surprise me if Tamil terrorism and a desire for independence returns .... probably even spawning another civil war in two or three generations from now.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Investigating War Atrocities In Sri Lanka`s Civil War

IDP settlement near Putumattalan Hospital in second No Fire Zone, March 2009. UN News Centre

Rights Groups Urge UN Council To Probe Sri Lanka -- Voice of America

International human rights groups are urging the United Nations Human Rights Council to order a probe into alleged abuses committed during Sri Lanka's civil war.

Both London-based Amnesty International and New York-based Human Rights Watch on Tuesday called on the council to act on the recommendations of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Read more
....

More News On The UN Investigating War Crimes In Sri Lanka`s Civil War

Ban forwards report on Sri Lanka war crimes to top UN human rights body -- UN News Centre
U.N. rights panel gets Sri Lanka "war crimes" report -- Reuters
Campaigners urge UN rights council to probe Sri Lanka -- AFP
Rights council gets report on Sri Lanka deaths -- AP
UN move on war crimes report angers Sri Lanka -- BBC
Sri Lanka under growing pressure on war atrocities -- Reuters
Sri Lanka called to mat on war crimes -- UPI

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Sri Lanka Admits Civilian Deaths During It's Civil War With The Tamils


Sri Lanka Admits To Civilian Deaths During War -- Voice of America

Sri Lanka has acknowledged for the first time that civilians may have been killed in the last phase of the country's quarter-century-long civil war against the Tamil Tiger rebels.

A defense ministry report released Monday said although the military followed a "zero civilian casualty policy," it was impossible to avoid such casualties given the magnitude of the fighting and the "ruthlessness" of the opponent.

Sri Lanka's civil war ended in 2009 with the military's defeat of the Tamil Tigers.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka's Report On It's Civil War

Sri Lanka: Military Admits Civilian Deaths in War on Rebels -- New York Times
Sri Lanka admits civilian deaths could not be avoided -- Sydney Morning Herald
Sri Lanka admits civilian deaths in separatist war -- AFP
Rights Group: Sri Lankan War Report Whitewashes Alleged Military Abuses -- Voice of America
Sri Lanka accused of war report whitewash -- AFP
Rights group: Sri Lankan war report is a whitewash -- Stars and Stripes/AP

Friday, April 22, 2011

UN To Release War Crimes Report On The Sri Lankan Civil War

A Tamil woman with one of her children in May 2009, at the end of the civil war. The UN says both Sri Lankan troops and Tamil Tiger rebels committed war crimes during the 26-year conflict. Photograph: Reuters

U.N.: Sri Lanka’s Crushing Of Tamil Tigers May Have Killed 40,000 Civilians -- Washington Post

UNITED NATIONS — Sri Lanka’s decisive 2008-09 military offensive against the country’s separatist Tamil Tigers may have resulted in the deaths of as many as 40,000 civilians, most of them victims of indiscriminate shelling by Sri Lankan forces, according to a U.N. panel established by Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

The panel recommended that Ban set up an “independent international mechanism” to carry out a more thorough probe into “credible” allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Sri Lankan government and the Liberation Tigers of the Tamil Eelam (LTTE), which held more than 300,000 civilians “hostage” to enforce a “strategic human buffer between themselves and the advancing Sri Lankan army.”

Read more ....

More News On The UN Report On The Sri Lankan Civil War

UN to Release War Crimes Report Despite Sri Lankan Warning -- Voice of America
Sri Lanka warns UN on war-crimes report -- Al Jazeera
Sri Lanka warns against public release of UN panel report on alleged war crimes -- Canadian Press/AP
UN heads for rights confrontation with Sri Lanka -- AFP
Sri Lanka warns UN not to release war crimes report -- The Guardian
Sri Lanka: Releasing UN Report Would Do 'Irrevocable Damage' -- Voice of America
U.N. war crimes panel overstepped its mandate: Sri Lanka -- Reuters

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

A Year After The End Of Their Civil War, Sri Lankans Remember



Sri Lanka Marks First Anniversary of Civil War End -- Voice of America

Sri Lanka holds a series of ceremonies this week to mark the first anniversary of the defeat of the Tamil Tiger rebels and the end of a quarter-century of civil war. The return of peace has generated widespread optimism in the island nation, but concerns remain that ethnic reconciliation remains an elusive goal.

Tourists are flocking into Colombo and other beach resorts on the Indian Ocean island. Hotels are packed and many businesses are formulating expansion plans.

Read more
....

More News On The First Anniversary On The End Of The Sri Lankan Civil War

Rain ruins Sri Lanka celebrations marking Tigers' defeat -- AFP
Ex-Tamil Tiger fighters held in limbo -- BBC
Sri Lanka Tamils pray for war victims on 1st anniversary of military victory against rebels -- Canadian Press
Report calls for inquiry into war crimes in Sri Lanka -- National Post
One year after war Sri Lanka asked to account for alleged “war crimes” -- Toronto Star
Sri Lanka accused of war crimes in final onslaught -- The Independent
Sri Lanka under fire for killing thousands -- Sydney Morning Herald
One year on, Sri Lanka still divided -- Sudha Ramachandran, Asia Times
A fragile peace -- Matt Wade, The Age
Sri Lanka one year on from war -- Desmond Tutu and Lakhdar Brahimi, The Guardian

Monday, October 26, 2009

War Crimes Probe And Investigation To Be Launched In Sri Lanka

Demonstrators hold signs against the genocide of Tamils in Sri Lanka,
in front of the US Department of State. Photo AFP


Sri Lanka To Probe Rights Abuses -- BBC

Sri Lanka says it will appoint a high-ranking independent committee to probe US claims of human rights abuses during the final phase of its civil war.

The US state department submitted a report last week to Congress, outlining serious violations allegedly committed by Sri Lanka's army and Tamil rebels.

The United Nations has previously called for an inquiry to determine if war crimes were indeed committed.

In May Sri Lanka defeated Tamil rebels after a bitter 26-year civil war.

Read more ....

Update #1: Sri Lanka to probe U.S. charges of possible war crimes -- Reuters
Update #2: Sri Lanka to probe US war crimes allegations -- AFP

My Comment: I must confess that I am surprised. I never thought that Sri Lanka would actually proceed with this probe and investigation of war crimes. The members of the committee are still going to be appointed by the Sri lankan Government .... which opens the door for "conflict of interest" charges .... but I am going to keep an open mind and will not pass judgement until the members are selected and their mandate is given.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

UN Calls For War Crimes Investigation In Sri Lanka

This photograph released by the Sri Lankan military on May 15, 2009 shows what the army says are civilians fleeing from the area inside the 'No Fire Zone' that is still held by the Tiger rebels. (Reuters Photo)

From Voice of America:

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for an independent, international investigation of possible war crimes committed during the last few months of the war in Sri Lanka. The UN agency says there should be a full inquiry into what did or did not happen during the final stages of the country's long-lasting civil war.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights says too many questions related to the last stages of the war between the government and Tamil Tiger rebels remain unanswered.

Read more ....

My Comment: The Sri Lankan Government has already made it very clear that they are not interested in having such an investigation. If there is going to be an investigation, it will happen after the leaders in the Sri Lankan Government who prosecuted this war are long gone .... and not before.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Sri Lanka Pressured To Conduct A War Crimes Investigation

A general view of thousands of UNHCR tents, occupied by
Internaly Displaced Persons, in Manik Farm. Photo AFP


Sri Lanka Pressed to Investigate Possible Atrocities -- New York Times

NEW DELHI — International pressure is mounting on Sri Lanka’s government to investigate atrocities that may have been committed during the final stages of its war with the Tamil Tiger insurgency as two new reports from the European Union and the State Department detailing alleged human rights abuses were released this week.

The reports come as Sri Lanka also faces intensifying criticism for its decision to keep more than 250,000 Tamils who were displaced by the fighting in closed camps that critics have likened to internment camps. The government said it plans to allow 80 percent of these people to return to their homes by the end of January, but insists that it must first weed out any remaining Tamil Tiger rebels hiding among them.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka

UN rights office backs Sri Lanka war probe -- AFP
Sri Lanka may need Gaza-style rights inquiry - U.N. -- Reuters
U.S. urges probe of Sri Lanka war -- Washington Post
US Calls on Sri Lanka to Investigate Alleged War Crimes in Tamil Conflict -- Voice of America
Sri Lanka blasts US report on human rights abuses -- The Guardian
EU human rights report could cost Sri Lanka $100 million -- Christian Science Monitor
Sri Lanka sends home 41,000 war-displaced civilians -- AFP
Sri Lanka to Release Thousands of Tamil Refugees -- Voice of America
Thousands freed from Sri Lanka camp -- Al Jazeera
Sri Lanka, Lobbyists and War Crimes -- Harpers

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Amnesty: Satellite Images Show Sri Lanka Graves


From Yahoo News/AP:

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – A series of satellite images taken over Sri Lanka's former war zone showed the existence of large grave sites and evidence of possible mortar positions near areas that had been packed with trapped civilians, a human rights group said Thursday.

The release of the images was intended to challenge government claims that the military had ceased using heavy weapons in the final months of its war against the Tamil Tiger rebels in the jungles of the north to prevent large-scale civilian deaths.

Read more ....

My Comment: Amnesty is documenting the obvious .... but documenting what will be viewed and looked at in the future. I have been critical of Amnesty International in the past, but congrats to Amnesty International for doing the work that needs to be done.

Monday, July 13, 2009

The Man Who Tamed The Tamil Tigers

Photo: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the interview in Colombo with TIME on July 10. Namas Bhojani for TIME

From Time Magazine:

Sri Lanka's 26-year civil war between the government and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) came to a dramatic end in May with a decisive military victory and the killing of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the Tigers' fearsome leader. President Mahinda Rajapaksa is the man who tamed the Tigers. Now his task is to heal a nation still divided by tensions between the majority Sinhalese and the minority Tamils. In a rare, wide-ranging interview, Rajapaksa, 63, talked with TIME's Jyoti Thottam at the President's official compound in Colombo on July 10.

Read more ....

My Comment: This is a blunt interview from Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa. He definitely comes across as a War President.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sri Lanka War News Updates -- October 25-26, 2008

The battlefield south of Kilinochchi is a mud bath (Photo: Ministry of Defence/BBC)

Heavy Fighting As Sri Lanka Troops Push Into Tiger Territory:
Military -- AFP

COLOMBO (AFP) — Sri Lanka troops were locked in heavy combat with Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the island's north where soldiers made several advances into rebel-held territory, the defence ministry said Saturday.

Two separate confrontations were reported southwest of the Tamil Tiger political capital of Kilinochchi on Friday and sporadic fighting continued afterward, the ministry said.

"Heavy fighting at the Akkarayankulam and Iranamadu areas has been reported between troops and LTTE since Friday morning," the ministry said.

It gave no details of casualties and said the authorities had decided not to release figures of those killed and wounded in the latest round of fighting.

The ministry said earlier this week it would not divulge details about casualties because of the "need for operational security." The announcement came just after the military reported 36 soldiers were killed in the worst single loss for security forces in the past six months.

There was no immediate word from the Tigers about the latest fighting, but the guerrillas in a statement said military shelling had killed two civilians south of Kilinochchi.

Read more ....

More News On The Sri Lanka Civil War

Troops move on Tiger stronghold -- Sydney Morning Herald
Military solution in Sri Lanka very difficult: U.S. -- The Hindu
Sri Lankan gov't says civilians held by rebels against their wishes -- China View
S Lanka suspends casualty figures -- BBC
Lanka to censor war casualty figures -- Hindustan Times

Monday, September 8, 2008

Analysis And Commentary On The Sri Lanka Civil War

(Click To Enlarge)

ANALYSIS-Sri Lanka Army Hits Rebels,
But Victory Won't End War -- Reuters

COLOMBO, Sept 7 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's advance into Tamil rebels' heartland has unleashed the bloodiest combat in a decade and opened a new phase of the 25-year-old conflict, but conventional military success won't mean an end to war.

Over the past three weeks, the army has thrust into territory held by the separatist guerrillas and are within artillery range of Kilinochchi, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam's (LTTE) administrative headquarters and symbolic prize for the government.

The advance has provoked some critics to warn things could turn out like 1999, when the army pushed itself deep into Tiger territory only to be shoved back ferociously in a matter of days.

Analysts say this time the military has the upper hand, fighting on four fronts to encircle the rebels while striking the LTTE's naval assets and hitting it with artillery, ground forces and air strikes. It does not, however, mean an easy road ahead.

"They have achieved a small breakthrough but the LTTE are putting up a tough fight," said Maria Kuusisto, analyst with the Eurasia Group in London. "I think it's going to be difficult to beat the deadline of defeating them before the end of the year."

Read more .....

My Comment: The difference between now and 1999, is that the central government has the will and resources to defeat militarily the LTTE. They have cut their routes of supply, and are systematically cutting the territory they control piece by piece. This war may not end in a few months, but it will end one day.

Friday, August 1, 2008

Sri Lanka War News Updates -- August 1-2, 2008

Sri Lankan soldiers cross a lagoon recently recaptured by the government military at Vidattaltivu in northwestern Mannar July 24, 2008. Sri Lankan troops killed at least 22 Tamil Tiger rebels in fresh fighting in the far north of the island on Friday, the military said, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. Picture taken July 24, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer(SRI LANKA)

25 Killed In Sri Lanka Ahead Of South Asian Summit -- Yahoo News

COLOMBO (AFP) - At least 24 Tamil Tiger rebels and a soldier were killed in fresh fighting in Sri Lanka's north as the island prepared to host a summit of South Asian leaders, the defence ministry said Thursday.

The 24 members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) were killed in the Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts on Wednesday, the ministry said, adding a government soldier also died in the clashes.

The fighting raged as the government hosted preparatory meetings for the eight-member South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit to start on Saturday.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka's Civil War

Sri Lanka fighting kills 23, summit leaders arrive -- Reuters
Fresh clashes kill 27 in Sri Lanka ahead of summit -- AFP
Sri Lanka fighting kills 23 ahead of top summit -- L.A. Times
Sri Lanka: LTTE Counter attacks in Vavunikulam Kills 30 SF injures over 60 -- Tamil News Service
Sri Lanka Fighting Kills 30 as Summit Nears -- ABC News
25 LTTE Militants Killed In Northern Sri Lanka -- Nasdaq
Sri Lanka fighting kills 23 ahead of top summit -- AP
Sri Lankan troops enter Tigers’ final frontier -- Colombo Page
Sri Lankan troops enter rebels heart land -- China View
Sri Lankan Forces Kill Female Tamil Tiger Commander, Army Says -- Bloomberg
Military may not succeed in wiping out rebels: Lanka -- Gulf Times
India wants ‘maximum devolution’ for Tamils in Sri Lanka -- Latest News (India)
Sea Tiger's arms buyer Daniel arrested in Chennai, India claims breakthrough in unraveling LTTE arms racket -- Asia Tribune
Pakistan seeks to expedite defence pact with Sri Lanka -- New Kerala

My Comment: The Sri Lankan Army is now in the heartland of the Tamil community in the north of the country. The news coverage on this war is also now shifting to the political arena. India is pushing for a federated form of Government in Sri Lanka, and to assist the process they are arresting the arms merchants for the rebel Tiger Army. Pakistan is establishing defense agreements with the Sri Lankan Government.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The End Of the Sri Lankan Civil War Is Now in Sight

Powerful explosions rocked Galle, an important southern tourist and port town in Sri Lanka, apparently extending the war to a stronghold of the Sinhalese majority. The government said suicide boats of the rebel Tamil Tigers, disguised as fishing boats, had been detonated near a navy base.

From Strategy Page:

July 29, 2008: The generals believe that the LTTE is just about finished. Army intelligence estimates that the LTTE has lost two thirds of its military power this year. That includes 9,000 fighters, most of them newly conscripted teenagers. Between losing territory, and Tamils fleeing to government controlled territory, the LTTE only controls about 200,000 civilians in the north. The army believes the LTTE only has about 5,000 armed fighters, and most of these are recently conscripted and poorly trained. The LTTE is also short on ammunition, because of the improved navy interdiction campaign during the last year. The fighting in the north is getting more intense, and causing several hundred casualties a week. But most of these are LTTE losses, and the army has been advancing at the rate of about three kilometers a week.

Read more ....

More News On The Sri Lankan War

Fighting Continues in Sri Lanka Despite Tamil Tiger Cease-Fire -- Voice Of America
Sri Lanka fighting kills 37: government -- AFP
Military: New fighting in northern Sri Lanka kills 34 rebels, 3 soldiers -- International Herald Tribune
Sri Lankan military positions attacked by rebels in north -- China View
Sri Lanka military says kills 34 rebels in fresh fighting -- Reuters
Sri Lankan Army Says Troops Capture Tamil Tiger Satellite Base -- Bloomberg
Lessons from Lanka`s bloodiest year -- SIFY

My Comment: The Strategy Page's analysis on the evolution of the war in Sri Lanka is accurate. The Tiger's LTTE command and control facilities are destroyed or about to be destroyed. Officers have been killed or captured. Most of their soldiers are young and inexperienced. Weapon shipments have been cut, and what they have left is no match for what the Sri Lankan Army has.

This war will be over in all but name by the end of this year. This conflict will now evolve into a terrorist campaign, with small cells bringing the fight to the Sri Lankan military and the majority Sinhalese population.

to truly put an end to this conflict, the Sri Lankan government .... from a position of strength .... should now put out the olive branch for reconciliation. They should meet some of the needs of what the Tamils want .... autonomy, respect of their culture, end of discrimination, etc....

But I have strong doubts and reservations that this will happen. There are no peace makers in Sri Lanka today.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Sri Lanka Fighting Kills 74


Sri Lankan soldiers cross a lagoon in the area recently recaptured by the government military in Vidattaltivu, northwestern Mannar July 24, 2008. Sri Lankan troops killed at least 22 Tamil Tiger rebels in fresh fighting in the far north of the island on Friday, the military said, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. Picture taken July 24, 2008.REUTERS/Stringer(SRI LANKA)

From Reuters:

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lankan troops continued their offensive against Tamil Tiger rebels in two days of fighting in the north that killed 66 Tigers and eight soldiers, the military said on Saturday.The fighting in the district of Jafna, Vavuiya Polonnaruwa, Mannar and Mullaitivu came three days after the government dismissed a declaration by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) of a unilateral ceasefire from July 26 to August 4.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka

Dozens dead in heavy fighting across Sri Lanka: govt -- AFP
Dozens dead in heavy Sri Lanka fighting: Govt -- ABC News Australia
Sri Lankan troops to hand over dead bodies to rebels -- China View
Sri Lanka's worsening human rights could hit economy -EU -- Reuters
South Asian meeting to open in Sri Lanka with eye on trade -- Yahoo News/AFP

My Comment: As predicted, there is no light-up on this campaign.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Scores Of Rebels Die In Heavy Sri Lanka Fighting: Military

Sri Lankan soldiers walk across a field after arriving in Vidattaltivu, northwestern Mannar July 24, 2008. Sri Lankan troops killed at least 22 Tamil Tiger rebels in fresh fighting in the far north of the island on Friday, the military said, as government forces continue their push against the rebels' northern stronghold. Picture taken July 24, 2008.REUTERS/Stringer(SRI LANKA)

From Yahoo News/AFP News:

COLOMBO, (AFP) - Heavy ground battles across Sri Lanka's north claimed te lives of 59 Tamil Tiger rebels and two soldiers, the defence ministry said Friday.

Fresh fighting broke out on Thursday and Friday in the northeastern district of Mullaittivu as troops moved deeper into rebel-held areas, the ministry said.

There was no immediate comment on the claims from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), although the rebels accused army commandos of setting off a roadside mine deep inside their territory on Friday, killing a local official.

Read more ...

More News On Sri Lanka's Civil War

Sri Lanka fighting kills 38, most of them rebels -- -- Reuters India
S.Lanka jets bomb rebels, fighting kills 54 in north -- Reuters
Sri Lankan troops capture land from rebels -- China View
Sri Lanka's 'Black July' riots, 25 years later -- National Post

My Comment: 25 years of civil war .... and it is still continuing. This war will continue until both sides will make the decision that a political solution is the way to go. But at the moment .... there is no one on the horizon that will make this possible.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Sri Lanka War Updates -- July 16, 2008

A LTTE car with soldiers (Wikimedia)

Fom Yahoo News/AP:

Sri Lanka military: Fighting kills 28 rebels,
4 soldiers as air force attack rebel position


COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Helicopter gunships hit a Tamil Tiger rebel position in northern Sri Lanka Tuesday, a day after battles across the embattled region left four soldiers and 28 guerrillas dead, the military said.

The worst of Monday's fighting took place along the northern front lines in Mannar, where 11 rebels were killed, military spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said.

He said three soldiers on a foot patrol in the Jaffna area were killed by a bomb. Other deadly battles erupted in Vavuniya and Welioya.

The gunships attacked a rebel gathering point in Mannar on Tuesday, in support of troops fighting the rebels on the ground, said air force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka's Civil War

Lankan troops kill 62 LTTE terrorists in two areas -- Al Watan Daily
Fresh Sri Lanka fighting kills 32 in north -- Reuters
Sri Lanka military: Fighting kills 28 rebels, 4 soldiers as air force attack rebel position -- International Herald Tribune
Sri Lanka Violence Leaves 28 Rebels, 4 Soldiers Dead -- FOX News
War is only job available in Sri Lankan village -- AP
Renegade rebel leader returns to Sri Lanka to take peaceful role -- Earth Times
Fresh Sri Lanka violence leaves dozens dead over weekend -- Relief Web
Indian Is Covertly Supporting The LTTE -- Tamil Star

My Comment: There are rumors that India is covertly supporting the Tigers (LTTE) in their war with the central government of Sri Lanka. With numerous LTTE defeats in the past three months, the concern was that India would intervene. If they do intervene, it would change the dynamics of this civil war dramatically. The next few months will be critical in how this war will end ..... or how this war will escalate into something worse.

Monday, July 7, 2008

Sri Lanka Warns Of Rebel Attacks In Colombo

Government soldiers prepare to move in on Palampeddi village, which was recently recaptured from Tamil rebels, in north western Mannar, July 4, 2008. Sri Lanka beefed up security on Monday and warned of possible rebel attacks around the capital Colombo as the island's Tamil Tiger rebels marked the 21st anniversary of their first rebel suicide attack. Picture taken July 4, 2008. REUTERS/Stringer (SRI LANKA)

From Reuters:

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka beefed up security on Monday and warned of possible rebel attacks around the capital Colombo as the island's Tamil Tiger rebels marked the 21st anniversary of their first rebel suicide attack.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) on the weekend commemorated the 356 men and women who have blown themselves up suicide attacks since the first such attack on 5th July 1987, when the suicide bomber or Black Tiger drove an explosive-laden truck into a Sri Lankan Army garrison in northern Jaffna.

Read more ....

More News On Sri Lanka's Civil War

At least 17 dead in Sri Lanka fighting -- Yahoo News
21 killed in fresh Sri Lanka fighting -- Daily Times
Lankan troops kill 11 rebels as Tamil Tigers commemorate first suicide attack 21 years ago -- Khaleej Times
Sri Lankan military says new fighting kills 20 Tamil rebels, 2 soldiers in volatile north -- PR Inside
More than 70,000 people have died in Sri Lanka conflict -- ABC 30

My Comment: As this war on a conventional level starts to end, the bloodshed by the last of the Tiger's military units in the field will become very bloody.