The third group of civilians who had been able to escape the LTTE tyranny in Wanni via land routes arrived at Omanthai this morning (Nov 23).
According to the defence.lk special correspondent in Omanthai, 81 civilians arrived in two groups. He said the first group comprising of 43 males and 28 females of 15 families arrived around 7.45 AM while the other comprising 6 males and 4 females arrived around 10 AM. The majority of the refugees were youth while there were few children too, he said. There were residents of Kanakarayankulam, Sinnadampan, Puthukulam and Nainamdu areas, he added.
The refugees had told our correspondent that they could free themselves from the terrorists clutches because of the security forces operations against the LTTE. The terrorists’ ability to manhandle the civilians at gunpoint is fast dwindling that people will soon escape the Wanni open prison in large numbers, they have added.
One of the youth had revealed that people in Wanni have placed a very high hope over the success of the security forces that they would be soon be free from the LTTE.
“Tidings have reached that LTTE is fast loosing, all of us want a life without LTTE, they (LTTE) brought us nothing by the destruction, Security Forces’ success is our only hope”, the youth had said.
Meanwhile, our correspondent said this group of civilians too were shocked to hear that some of the Tamil Politicians in India and Tamils living in Western Countries are trying to save the LTTE.
“Why do they want to continue this war? Are they enjoying on our sufferings? If they want an Eelam let them have it in their countries! We Sri Lankan Tamils are not their pawns” were some of their sudden expressions when they were told about the issue, our correspondent said.
The refugees have been directed to the civilian welfare centres after being provided with food and basic medical facilities.
The first group of civilians to escape the terrorists clutches via land routes came to Omanthai on Friday (Nov 21). A group of 39 civilians sought refuge with the security forces signalling that prison gates of mono ethnic Wanni hellhole have started crumbling.
On 22nd November, 41 civilians in two groups have arrived at the Omanthai roadblock seeking protection with security forces.
Courtesy: Ministry of Defence
