Sri Lanka begins air raids in north

By Nirupama Subramanian

COLOMBO, JUNE 30. The politically-beleaguered Chandrika Kumaratunga Government today began air raids in northern Sri Lanka, warning of a major LTTE attack in the peninsula and of a joint conspiracy by the LTTE and the opposition to destablise the country.

The minority People's Alliance (PA) ruling coalition is up against a no-confidence motion by the opposition United National Party, likely to be taken up for debate in the second week of July.

An eight-page government press release said the Sri Lanka Air Force had begun pre-emptive air raids on LTTE strongholds in Pooneryn, a fishing village strategically-located south of the peninsula, and other areas, at 6.20 a.m. today.

``The LTTE has been making intensive preparation for a major battle against the security forces in recent weeks,'' the release said.

It gave out detailed intelligence information of a massive build- up of cadre and arms by the LTTE in the peninsula, which, it said, could be aimed at an offensive to mark the July 5 anniversary of the first suicide bombing.

It said the LTTE leader, Mr. Velupillai Prabhakaran, was recently seen at a temple in Mullaithivu where he had pledged to regain Jaffna peninsula from the armed forces by September this year.

The lengthy explanation for the air raids was notable for the absence of any reference to the peace process.

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Section  : International
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