Four LTTE arms smugglers sentenced to jail in Maldives

Four LTTE cadres who were recently seized in Maldivian waters when sailing in a hijacked Indian fishing trawler carrying weapons for the LTTE, have been sentenced to 15 years and 6 months imprisonment by the Maldivian criminal court.

The accused are Mahindhra Rasa Kajeevan (20), Ramesh Raja Chandhan (20), Muthalingam Yogaras (24), and Navarathna Rasa Ranjeeth (21). They pleaded guilty to the charges of illegally crossing international waters into Maldivian territory, "disobedience to orders" and firing at Maldivian security forces.

The hijacked trawler carrying weapons for the LTTE terrorists was destroyed by Maldivian coastguards on 17th June, when intercepted off Gaaff Alif atoll in Maldivian waters.

The suspected trawler flying a Sri Lankan ensign was first observed by the Maldivian fishermen. Maldivian coastguard vessels later ordered the suspected trawler to stop for inspection. When it ignored this order and started firing at the Coastguard vessel, they carried out a retaliatory attack and destroyed the trawler following a hot pursuit.

Maldivian officials indicated that five crew members, including the LTTE terrorist cadres, who had jumped overboard from the destroyed boat, were rescued by the Maldivian coastguards. A crewmember speaking the South Indian Malayalam language had identified himself as a South Indian fisherman and told the Coastguards that the trawler was smuggling arms and ammo for the LTTE.

He has further revealed that the four LTTE terrorists had hijacked the fishing vessel and threw the other crew members overboard along with their fishing gear. He had also claimed that he was spared because he is the Technical Officer on the vessel, and was needed by the crew in case of breakdown.

Source: Defence Srilanka

Four LTTE arms smugglers sentenced to jail in Maldives

Four LTTE cadres who were recently seized in Maldivian waters when sailing in a hijacked Indian fishing trawler carrying weapons for the LTTE, have been sentenced to 15 years and 6 months imprisonment by the Maldivian criminal court.

The accused are Mahindhra Rasa Kajeevan (20), Ramesh Raja Chandhan (20), Muthalingam Yogaras (24), and Navarathna Rasa Ranjeeth (21). They pleaded guilty to the charges of illegally crossing international waters into Maldivian territory, "disobedience to orders" and firing at Maldivian security forces.

The hijacked trawler carrying weapons for the LTTE terrorists was destroyed by Maldivian coastguards on 17th June, when intercepted off Gaaff Alif atoll in Maldivian waters.

The suspected trawler flying a Sri Lankan ensign was first observed by the Maldivian fishermen. Maldivian coastguard vessels later ordered the suspected trawler to stop for inspection. When it ignored this order and started firing at the Coastguard vessel, they carried out a retaliatory attack and destroyed the trawler following a hot pursuit.

Maldivian officials indicated that five crew members, including the LTTE terrorist cadres, who had jumped overboard from the destroyed boat, were rescued by the Maldivian coastguards. A crewmember speaking the South Indian Malayalam language had identified himself as a South Indian fisherman and told the Coastguards that the trawler was smuggling arms and ammo for the LTTE.

He has further revealed that the four LTTE terrorists had hijacked the fishing vessel and threw the other crew members overboard along with their fishing gear. He had also claimed that he was spared because he is the Technical Officer on the vessel, and was needed by the crew in case of breakdown.

Source: Defence Srilanka

President announces World Culture, Heritage Day to be celebrated in Maldives next year

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has announced that the international World Culture and Heritage Day is to be celebrated in the Maldives starting next year. He made the statement at the inauguration ceremony of the four day seminar on Maldives History and Heritage organised by the National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research.

The inauguration ceremony was held Sunday afternoon at Dharubaaruge. In his opening remarks, President Gayoom stated that the reason behind this was to create awareness and interest among the people on the historical sites and landmarks of the Maldives. World Culture and Heritage Day is celebrated on April 18.

President Gayoom stated that every nation’s history and heritage was very important and that Maldives too, has a very significant history. He noted that awareness programmes on Maldivian historical sites had not been conducted sufficiently and emphasized that all sectors need to work collectively and diligently in promoting awareness in this field.

In his speech, the President highlighted that the most significant of our heritage is the Holy Quran. The President also noted that like many other Muslim countries, some hand written scriptures of the Holy Quran have been preserved in the Maldives too.

During the ceremony, President Gayoom was presented with a commemorative plaque by the National Centre for Linguistic and Historical Research. The Plaque was presented by the President of the Centre Abbas Ibrahim.

On arrival at Dharubaaruge the President and the First Lady were greeted by Abbas Ibrahim and his wife. The senior members of the Centre for National Linguistic and Historical Research were also present to greet the President and the First Lady.

After the inauguration, the President also met and spoke with the participants of the seminar.

Source: Haveeru

Maldives sentences 'Tamil Tigers'

A court in the Maldives has sentenced four suspected Tamil Tiger rebels from Sri Lanka to 15 years in prison. The charges included trying to import illegal firearms and weapons.

In May, the Maldives coastguard sank a boat carrying suspected Tamil Tigers in its territorial waters near an atoll, south of the main archipelago.

At the time, the rebels' military spokesman Rasiah Llanthiriyan had denied the Tamil Tigers were involved in the incident.

Source: BBC

President extends congratulations to the new Prime Minister of UK

President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has sent a message of congratulations to Gordon Brown, on his assumption of office as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

In the message, the President extended warm congratulations and sincere good wishes of the Government and people of the Maldives, and that of his own, to Mr. Brown. The President further expressed is confidence that the friendly relations that existed between the two countries would continue to strengthen in the years to come.

Source: Haveeru