Defence News
TF 4 troops enter Oddusuddan township - Mullaittivu
Troops of Task Force 4 who have continued their advances further northwards after capturing Nadunkeni have entered Oddusuddan township by this afternoon, 4 January.
According to the latest information, troops of 14 Sinha Regiment (SR) commanded by Major U.S.N.K Perera under command to 642 Brigade commanded by Lt. Colonel B.T Hathnagoda entered the Oddusuddan town following the days long fighting ensued in the area.
The strategically vital Oddusuddan junction located along the Mankulam - Mullaittivu (A34) main road had been used by the LTTE terrorists for their administrative and logistic purposes as it has direct route access towards Mullaittivu, Puthukkudiyiruppu, Mankulam and Nedunkeni.
Troops own engaged in further consolidating operations in north and west of Oddusudan areas, defence sources said.
Courtesy: Ministry of Defence
Secretary Defence visits Air Force Bases
Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa visited the Air Force bases at Hingurakgoda, Chainabay and Katunayaka yesterday, 3 January, in order to appreciate the outstanding service rendered by the SLAF towards the success of the Wanni liberation offensive in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu fronts.
Base Commander of Hingurakgoda Base, Wing Commander D.K Wanigasooriya, welcomed Secretary Defences when he arrived at Hingurakgoda Air Base during his visit. Addressing the officers and airmen of the MI-24 squadron, Secretary Defence praised their commitment by launching close air support missions to assist ground troops during the victorious Wanni liberation offensive.
Later, he visited Chainabay Air Force base and Base Commander Group Captain Wijitha Gunarathna welcomed the Secretary Defence. After addressing the officers and airmen of the Chainabay base Defence Secretary flew to Katunayaka.
Base Commander of Katunayaka Air Base, Air Commodore C.R Gurusinghe welcomed the Secretary Defence in his arrival to Katunayaka. Speaking to officers and airmen of No 12 (MI-27), No 10 (Kfir) and No5 (F-7) squadrons, Secretary Defence expressed his gratitude appreciated the service rendered by them for the success of Wanni battle.
Defence Secretary was accompanied by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilaka and a few senior officials of the Air Force Headquarters.
Courtesy: Ministry of Defence
Army Commander visits Wanni to congratulate ground troops
Followed by the historic feat achieved by Army in capturing Kilinochchi, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka accompanied by Wanni Security Forces Commander and a few senior officers of the Army Headquarters, flew to Vavuniya on Saturday (3) morning in a bid to take stocks of the ground situation in Wanni theater of war. Divisional Commander, 57 Division Major General Jagath Dias received the Army Commander on his arrival at the airstrip.
During the review meeting held at the Security Forces Headquarters Wanni (SFHQ-W) attended by Commanders of Divisions, Task Forces and Brigades, Wanni Commander appraised Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka and other senior officers of the advances and gains the Army has so far achieved in Wanni humanitarian operations.
At the end of the meeting Army Commander praised officers and other ranks of their commitment in achieving this great victory and gave necessary instructions to be adapted during future operations.
Courtesy: Army Media
Police intensify security in Colombo
The police have launched a special programme to intensify the security in Colombo and Southern parts of the country following the capture of Kilinochchi, to face any unexpected terrorist attacks targeting civilians and VIPs, the police spokesman said.
Courtesy: Dailymirror
LTTE terrorists hold civilians hostage
The LTTE was forcing civilians of the small area in the North still under their control from coming into liberated areas under Government administration, assaulting or holding them against their wishes, almost all the civilians who had managed to arrive in the Government - administered areas were reported as saying.
Very recently a group of 18 civilians among them a number of women and children, who arrived in Vavuniya told the Government officials in that town how they escaped through the jungles of Kilinochchi to regain their freedom from the terrorists.
In yet another incident a group of eight civilians who were fleeing the terrorist controlled area were caught between the fighting ranks of the Army and the LTTE and one among them was injured.
When they reached an Army position the officer and soldiers gave first aid and sent the injured person to Vavuniya Hospital where he was warded.
Most of the civilians who had fled the LTTE held area in the north said the LTTE was trying to hold about 20,000 civilians including women and children to be used as a human shield when the Government troops advance into Mullaitivu the last strategic position.
Civilians had told the Government officials in Vavuniya that the LTTE had forced them to carry out various tasks to help their cadres, like transporting supplies to LTTE camps against their wishes.
If anyone refused to carry out the edict of the terrorists they were assaulted or detained in makeshift detention centres.
However it was learnt from the information volunteered by the civilians that they sought safety and freedom in the Government administered areas and the majority among the 20,000 estimated civilian population were ready to flee from the terrorist-controlled areas to the Government - administered areas, officials in Vavuniya said.
Courtesy: Sunday Observer
