LTTE looting medical supplies: Hospitals in North face shortages

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in a statement released yesterday (April 17), said that hospitals in the non-liberated areas in Wanni and North are running short of basic medical supplies.

The Red Cross report attributes the problem as the lack of regular deliveries, limited number of staffers and medical equipment, but states it had managed to get supplies from the government.

"The supplies of medicine are safely dispatched up to Vavuniya but what happens beyond that point is unknown", Dr. Athula Kahandagamage, Secretary, Ministry of Health was quoted as saying to press.

He also commended the ICRC for helping out with the distribution of medicine and other equipment in the non-liberated areas. According to defence officials, the LTTE is to be held totally responsible for the suffering caused to many including children and women in the non-liberated northern patches as it is well known that the outfit is shamelessly looting government provided medical supplies and equipment for the treatment of its battle wounded.

Faced with severe battle casualties in the Wanni front the outfit has recently threatened every individual and household under its influence to giveaway a blood pint for the treatment of its cadres. Meanwhile, the floods caused by the torrential rains recently have further worsened the situation. Many local staffers working for humanitarian relief are been threatened by LTTE elements in these areas and the basic medical supplies, drugs and equipment provided by the government is taken away by the outfit once the consignments reach the non-liberated zones, the official further added.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is assisting hospitals in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaittiuvu and Vavuniya Districts with medical equipment and supplies for the treatment of sick and war-wounded people.

German schoolboy, 13, corrects NASA's asteroid figures

A 13-year-old German schoolboy corrected NASA's estimates on the chances of an asteroid colliding with Earth, a German newspaper reported Tuesday, after spotting the boffins had miscalculated.

Nico Marquardt used telescopic findings from the Institute of Astrophysics in Potsdam (AIP) to calculate that there was a 1 in 450 chance that the Apophis asteroid will collide with Earth, the Potsdamer Neuerster Nachrichten reported.

NASA had previously estimated the chances at only 1 in 45,000 but told its sister organisation, the European Space Agency (ESA), that the young whizzkid had got it right.

The schoolboy took into consideration the risk of Apophis running into one or more of the 40,000 satellites orbiting Earth during its path close to the planet on April 13 2029.

Those satellites travel at 3.07 kilometres a second (1.9 miles), at up to 35,880 kilometres above earth -- and the Apophis asteroid will pass by earth at a distance of 32,500 kilometres.

If the asteroid strikes a satellite in 2029, that will change its trajectory making it hit earth on its next orbit in 2036.

Both NASA and Marquardt agree that if the asteroid does collide with earth, it will create a ball of iron and iridium 320 metres (1049 feet) wide and weighing 200 billion tonnes, which will crash into the Atlantic Ocean.

The shockwaves from that would create huge tsunami waves, destroying both coastlines and inland areas, whilst creating a thick cloud of dust that would darken the skies indefinitely.

The 13-year old made his discovery as part of a regional science competition for which he submitted a project entitled: "Apophis -- The Killer Astroid."

China will stand by Sri Lanka against terrorism

President Hu Jintao of the People's Republic of China assured Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that China will stand by Sri Lanka in its efforts to counter terrorism. This assurance was given when the two Presidents met at Yalong Bay Resort in the Hainan Province of China today.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is in China to attend the Annual Conference of the Boa Forum for Asia. This was the second meeting between the two leaders in 14 months, and is indicative of the strengthened links between the two countries, and the rapid emergence of China as one of the key development partners of Sri Lanka.

On matters of economic assistance to Sri Lanka, President Rajapaksa thanked China for the considerable assistance given, highlighting the Chinese assistance to the Norochcholai Coal Power Project, the Hambantota Port and the Performing Arts Theatre in Colombo.
One China

President Hu Jintao was appreciative of Sri Lanka's continued stand in support of the One China Policy, and stated that this position has stood well as a test of the good relations between the two countries.

In discussions on developments in Tibet, the Chinese President explained the unfortunate incidents that have taken place there, and thanked the President and government of Sri Lanka for viewing the matter in the proper context.
Olympics

President Rajapaksa wished every success to the Olympics Games that are to be held in China later this year, and stated that Sri Lanka was proud that China will be hosting this important international sports event.

President Hu Jintao while appreciating the good wishes expressed by the Sri Lankan President for the Beijing Olympics stated that China will be sending a high level delegation as observers to the SAARC Summit to be held in Sri Lanka later this year.

On the development of investment opportunities, the Sri Lankan President invited Chinese investors to take advantage of the good potential that prevails in Sri Lanka as a destination for investment in the region.

In discussing cultural links between the two countries, the Chinese President reiterated China's agreement to assist in the establishment of the proposed International Buddhist Zone, at Piliyandala.

President Rajapaksa renewed the invitation to the Chinese President to visit Sri Lanka, to which President Hu Jintao said he looked forward to a visit at a mutually convenient time.

The President of China expressed his good wishes to the Sri Lankan President and the Sri Lankan people for the forthcoming traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year.

China has already pledged more that US $ 1 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka in 2007.

The Boao Forum for Asia, which President Rajapaksa is due to address, (BFA) was inaugurated in February 2001. The Annual Conference of Boao is a platform for political leaders, academics and business leaders from Asia and other countries concerned with the development of Asia to communicate and seek cooperation and common development of all Asian countries.

Troops overrun LTTE defence line: 13 killed, over 40 wounded

Troops advanced and held into an 800m long LTTE defence line at Kalliadanchan, located 1.5km North of Giant's Tank northern bund in Mannar front during an early hour offensive launched today(April 2) security sources said.

According to reports received, 13 LTTE terrorists were killed and 43 wounded as heavy fighting broke out between SLA and LTTE since the wee hours. The advancing troops were assisted with heavy mortar, artillery and armour tank fire as they broke through the LTTE defences in the multi-pronged assault.

Despite being heavily fortified the land stretch fell into military, with soaring losses to the LTTE what was identified as a decisive blow to the outfit, defence sources said.

Meanwhile, a soldier has laid his life while 12 others were reported wounded in the confrontation.

Troops are now consolidating defences while search patrols continue to clear the area.

54 LTTE killed, 42 wounded as heavy fighting erupts in Mannar

Defence.lk" style="border-style: solid; border-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); padding: 1px 4px; visibility: visible;" class="PopBoxImageSmall" title="Click to magnify/shrink" onclick="Pop(this,50,'PopBoxImageLarge');" align="left" border="1" height="166" hspace="1" vspace="1" width="250">Military reports received stated that, at least 54 LTTE terrorists were killed, 42 wounded and 14 others believed either killed or seriously injured in heavy fighting ensued between troops and LTTE on Tuesday(April 1) in the Wanni and Northern battle theatres.

The terrorist casualties tolled in the Wanni battle theatre as troops broke into the heavily fortified LTTE defences from the Vavuniya front, yesterday. According to reports, 36 terrorists were reported killed alone in clashes at the Vavuniya front, while 16 others were killed and 36 wounded ahead of Mannar defences.

At the Vavuniya front intermittent clashes broke out in general areas Maruthamadu, Sulanamarutamadu, Villatikkulama and Kallikkulama, security sources said.

Meanwhile, troops gained considerable ground in the Mannar front in general areas Puliyankulama, Puttukkulama, Malikittidai, Veddayamurippu and Palaikkuli as attacks were intensified targeting LTTE strong points, sources further said.

At the Jaffna front in Muhamalai, a terrorist was killed sniped, while 4 others were reported either killed or wounded in a separate confrontation in general area Nagarkovil. 2 soldiers were also wounded during the confrontation, security sources said.

Meanwhile, in the Welioya front troops recovered a total of 520AP mines during separate search operations conducted in general area Andankulama, security sources said. A terrorist was also reported killed when troops attacked an LTTE strong point in the same area, sources further said.

According to military reports, 2 soldiers have laid their lives in the confrontations while 22 others were reported wounded.

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April.

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April."

LTTE bunkers and trenches captured by troops while advancing in general area Parayakulama, on 01st April."