Elephant Pass is the last LTTE stronghold on the A-9 main highway and its fall would enable the military to re-open the Jaffna-Kandy supply route for people and troops there from the south to the north. The troops in Jaffna would no longer be relying on supplies through ships.

Colombo, January 9
Sri Lankan troops today captured Elephant Pass, a major stronghold of Tamil Tiger rebels in the northern Jaffna peninsula, President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced.

Elephant Pass, lying about 12 km away from Kilinochchi on the Jaffna-Kandy main highway, is the isthmus that connects the northern Jaffna peninsula to the rest of the country.

Encouraged by their latest success of capturing Kilinochchi town, the politico-administrative town of the LTTE, the ground troops backed by armour, artillery and aerial bombardment had advanced from various directions towards Elephant Pass. The soldiers faced fierce LTTE resistance. Kilinochchi town, which was re-taken last week, is located 350 km north of here.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said today the troops advancing along the northern end of the A-9 Jaffna-Kandy main highway “have already captured Iyakachchi”. Iyakachchi is a small town lying a few kilometres north of Elephant Pass. Elephant Pass is the last LTTE stronghold on the A-9 main highway and its fall would enable the military to re-open the Jaffna-Kandy supply route for people and troops there from the south to the north. The troops in Jaffna would no longer be relying on supplies through ships. The transport on ships was very costly for the military. The A-9 main highway that links the northern Jaffna peninsula with the other parts of the island was opened for the people after nearly a decade with the signing of the February 2002 Norwegian brokered truce pact between the LTTE and then government of Sri Lanka.

But its northern most entry/exit point Muhamalai faced closure in August 2006 with the troops and the rebels operating in their respective forward defences making several attempts to advance into each other’s territories, leaving several combatants dead and wounded.The LTTE captured the former military garrison of Elephant Pass in April 2000 and it was then considered a major success for the rebels.

The military regaining control of the garrison would mean that the rebels have virtually lost dominance in the north and would be confined to the chunk between west of Kilinochchi and the jungle district of Mullaitivu.

The LTTE has been fighting against the Sri Lankan government for a quarter century to carve out a separate state for Tamils in the northern and eastern parts of the island. Sri Lanka on Wednesday banned the LTTE with immediate effect and said that the rebel outfit would face all consequences as a terrorist organisation. Thousands have died since late 2005 in the escalating fight. — IANS

Pakistan has conveyed its response to the Indian dossier on Mumbai attacks, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said here on Friday while describing the situation on the Indo-Pakistan borders as “fragile”.

Gilani disclosed that the response has been indirectly passed on to India through the CIA that initially conveyed the Indian dossier to its Pakistani counterpart, the ISI. He also justified dismissal of National security adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani, who prematurely leaked the information on findings of the Pakistani investigations in response to Indian dossier. Gilani regretted that India suspended bilateral dialogue after the Mumbai incident generating tensions in relations. He said Pakistan had showed unwavering commitment to peace with India. The global community must play its due role to defuse the tension the two countries. India has rejected the proposals of formation of a joint commission.

Talking to reporters after addressing a seminar, Gilani said he sacked Durrani “in the best national interests and to ensure good governance”. Gilani skirted a pointed question that hinted at speculations about his increasing differences with President Asif Zardari that found its dramatic expression by the dismissal of Durrani while Zardari was in Kabul.

TOP DOG: AR Rahman poses with the best composer actor award for “Slumdog Millionaire” at the 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Thursday in Santa Monica, California. — AP/PTI

Los Angeles, January 9
Slumdog Millionaire, the rags-to-riches story of a Mumbai slumdweller, has bagged five prestigious prizes including best composer award for Indian music maestro A R Rahman at Broadcast Film Critics Association’s 14th annual Critics Choice Awards.

British director Danny Boyle’s Indian drama was a big hit at the award ceremony last night.

It won best film, best director for Danny Boyle, best writer for Simon Beaufoy, best young Actor for Dev Patel and best composer for A R Rahman, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Broadcast Film Critics Association’s 14th annual Critics Choice Awards (BFCA), which took place at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium last night, is the largest film critics organization, with more than 200 members in the US and Canada.

Based on the novel Q and A by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup, the film narrates the moving story of Jamaal, a Mumbai slumdweller and how he goes on to win over USD 20 million in the TV reality show Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? to get his love back. And like its magical underdog winner story, the film which was made on a small budget, has turned out a big winner by virtually dominating the pre-Oscar award scene in US. The film has already earned a nomination by Writers Guild of America and American Society of Cinematographers.

It was also nominated in the best picture category by the Producers Guild of America. — PTI