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Sri Lanka declares 48-hour ceasefire in civil war

by israeli.agent | April 12, 2009 at 03:32 am

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Looks like this new year bring peace to the Sri Lankan's. It is a general belief that what happens in the new year, repeats throughout the year. Sri Lanaka on Sunday declared 48 hour cease-fire to allow the trapped civilians in the war front on the occasion of Tamil and Sinhala new year.

Happy new year to all Sri Lankans. May this new year bring you all peace and happiness.

Suba Aluth Avurudu and Puthandru Nal vazhthukkal..!

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's president on Sunday ordered government troops to halt their offensive against cornered Tamil rebels over the two-day Sinhala and Tamil New Year that starts on Monday.

Mahinda Rajapakse's office said in a statement that the move would allow thousands of Tamil civilians trapped in the fighting to celebrate the New Year.

"With this objective in view, His Excellency has directed the armed forces of the state to restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature," the statement said.

It reiterated a call to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to lay down arms and surrender to security forces who have pushed the guerrillas into a narrow strip of coastal jungle in the island's northeast.

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Tamiya

at 09:46 on April 12th, 2009

31 civilians killed in SLA shelling, gunfire in 'safety zone' [TamilNet, Sunday, 12 April 2009, 09:11 GMT]
At least 31 civilians were killed throughout the day on Sunday inside the 'safety zone'. Exact figure of wounded civilians was not known, but at least 36 injured were rushed to the makeshift hospital at Puthumaththa'lan Sunday morning as Sri Lanka Army (SLA) was embarked upon concerted attacks on the zone since the early hours of Sunday. 30 of the victims were wounded in shelling and 6 in gunfire, medical sources said. Two of the victims had succumbed to their injuries at hospital.

People who reach the hospital come under the gunfire-range of the SLA.

The makeshift hospital and the access route to it are located close to SLA positions.

Sporadic gunfire continued disturbing the wounded being taken to hospital, according to the latest reports from Maaththa'lan.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa said the SLA would continue "defensive" fighting.

Stating that he had instructed his armed forces to "restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature," Mr. Rajapaksa said "it is timely for the LTTE to acknowledge its military defeat and lay down its weapons and surrender." There was no announcement of ceasefire as some news services interpreted Rajapaksa's message.

Tamiya

at 09:48 on April 12th, 2009

SLA embarks upon capturing attack on civilians, 300 shells explode within 45 minutes [TamilNet, Saturday, 11 April 2009, 23:13 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) embarked upon intense attack on the 'safety zone', in the early hours of Sunday, targeting a place called Pachchaip-pulmoaddai, aiming for bifurcating and capturing the northern part of the 'safety zone', initial reports from Vanni said. Heavy shelling and gunfire by the SLA started around 3:15 a.m. in the morning, and within 45 minutes, more than 300 shells exploded inside the civilian area of the safety zone around Pachchaip-pulmoaddai. Heavy civilian casualties are feared. Because of the rains, people are even unable to hide in the bunkers which are flooded, reports said. Meanwhile, since Friday, the SLA was building up heavily on the other side of the lagoon in Maaththa'lan, close to the makeshift hospital.

Pachchaip-pulmoaddai is located between Valaignarmadam and Mu'l'livaaykkaal. Maaththa'lan, where the makeshift hospital is located, lies north of Pachchaip-pulmoaddai.

17 civilians were killed and 48 injured in SLA attacks on Saturday.

Heavy rains flood 'safe zone'

sudharaka

at 10:00 on April 12th, 2009

NEWSFLASH : Rajapakse Govt. found responsible for the heavy downpour to the 'safety zone'

israeli.agent

at 10:02 on April 12th, 2009

LOL......!!!

ROTFL...!!!!

.Agent.

sathyajith

at 10:05 on April 12th, 2009

sudharaka

Rajapakse Govt. found responsible for the heavy downpour to the 'safety zone'

:-)

heavy downpour Genocide against Tamils

Jon Doe (not verified)

at 14:03 on April 12th, 2009

its funny how Sinhala people avoid arguements by claiming everyone who accuses the GoSL of anything are paid by the LTTE. Its quite pathetic. Amnesty International, ICRC, RFS, Mexican and British Parliament, BBC, the UN, pretty much anyone with a reason and common sense to figure out what the GoSL is doing are "paid by the LTTE". Anyone who wants humanitarian aid for dying tamils are "paid by the LTTE". Its pretty sad, Sri Lanka's government is pretty much like North Korea. Disgusting.

sathyajith

at 14:34 on April 12th, 2009

I say "TkT"

senthil5000

at 16:01 on April 12th, 2009

This 48 hours drama won't solve any of the issue.

Observers believe the calling of the ceasefire by the Sri Lankan Government has been due to the intense pressure by the US, UK and UN. However, the seriousness of adhering to the ceasefire by the Sri Lanka armed forces is not guaranteed as no international observers present in the conflict zone. Sri Lankan Government barred the international aid agencies including UN and journalist from entering the Tamil areas. Sri Lanka also maintains hundreds of barbed wire concentration camps for Tamil civilians fleeing the conflict zone. Outsiders or relatives of the civilians held are not allowed to enter the concentration camps nor the civilians held are allowed to leave.