Date:16/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/16/stories/2008031655841200.htm

International

LTTE base destroyed: Colombo

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) on Saturday claimed to have destroyed an “LTTE training base” in the north-east at Vishwamadukulama in Mullaittiuvu, amid reports of continued fighting between the forces and the Tigers along the Forward Defence Lines (FDLs).

A statement by the SLAF said, “The enemy target had been under constant surveillance and latest air reconnaissance information has revealed intensified terrorist activity in the area. The LTTE training facility was left in rubble as pilots returned following the precision air sortie at around 6.10 a.m. The LTTE is yet to reveal casualty figures”.

Separately, the LTTE in a report posted on its web site, accused the military of stealing fishing boats belonging to fishermen in the Kudaththanai area in Jaffna. “SLA is seen using these stolen boats for transport from Ampan to Nagarkovil areas in Jaffna. Three boats have been stolen by the SLA over the last one week”, it said.

Crisis in Rupavahini

It alleged that at the same time, the navy and army continued to fire artillery from the sea and land into the settlements in Vadamaradchi east. Kudarappu to Sundikulam is made up of 13 villages.

Meanwhile Rupavahini, which runs the state-owned television, was plunged into a crisis following an attack by unidentified persons on one of its senior officials. Corporation Employees’ Union president Anurasiri Hettige, was attacked while he was waiting for a bus to get to office.

He is the fifth Rupavahini Corporation employee to be attacked or threatened by unidentified persons since the December 27 incident involving Minister Mervyn Silva. The Minister, who had reportedly gone to the Rupavahini building to enquire why a news item about his speech was not telecast, was gheraoed and roughed up by angry employees. Ever since there have been a spate of attacks on Rupavahini employees by unidentified persons. The Rupavahini employees maintain that complaints had been lodged with the police on all previous occasions but so far no suspects have been arrested.

Corporation employees on Friday did not attend to their work and no live programmes were telecast except for the afternoon news. A statement by the government said President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed that speedy action be taken to bring to book those responsible for attacks on employees of Rupavahini, and has called for a plan of action to protect them.