December 15, 2007: In the
north, there have been over a thousand casualties, most of them LTTE, so far
this month. The LTTE have a lot of young, poorly trained, fighters on the front
line. These LTTE forces are chewed up pretty bad by the government troops, who
have the benefit of air power and artillery. Not much is heard from LTTE
artillery anymore, largely because the supply of shells has been cut off. What
artillery ammo they do have, is stockpiled for special operations. The LTTE has
said it will stop recruiting children (teenagers) this month, but that is
unlikely. The LTTE is running short of manpower, because of combat casualties,
and economic problems (lack of income and food) among the half million or so
Tamil civilians they control in the north. About ten percent of LTTE fighters
were killed or wounded, or took sick this month. The way things are going, 2008
is going to be a very bad year for the LTTE.
December 14, 2007: Tourism is
recovering, with arrivals 20 percent higher than the same period last year. The
government is seen to have the war with the LTTE under control, and able to
keep tourist areas safe from LTTE terrorism.
December 10, 2007: In southern
India, police make more arrests of LTTE
arms smugglers. The police now gone after the LTTE purchasing agents, as well
as the smuggling boats that have long operated out of south Indian ports.
