Army 57 Div maneuvering to Kilinochchi

A field commander issuing orders to the troops in front - Akkarayankulam (07 Nov)

The Army 57 division , operating on the main axis of the Wanni theatre of operations are now successfully maneuvering towards the Kilinochchi town, the administrative hub of the LTTE terrorists, say the defence sources.

Daylong clashes were reported yesterday (Nov 13) as troops of 571 and 572 brigades marched further northwards destroying LTTE positions along the western boundary of the Kilinochchi built-up.

Troops had a series of confrontations with the terrorists in the South Pudimurippukulam area, about 6 Km North of Akkarayankualm tank bund . Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed heavy damages to the terrorists. Troops found one body of an LTTE cadre and 3 T-56 riffles during subsequent search operations.

Meanwhile , the foremost fighting elements 571 brigade attacked a group of terrorists in the Adampan area , 9 Km north of Akkarayankulam tank bund in the evening hours. Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed severe damages to the terrorists. Also, troops of 574 brigade operating on the eastern flank of the Kilinochchi front engaged terrorists in the Mankulam area at several occasions during daytime.

Meanwhile , intercepted LTTE radio transmissions revealed that senior LTTE leader called “Lieutenant Colonel Kali Arasan” was killed in clashes on Wednesday (Nov 12)

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Task Force 1 nearing Task Accomplished; terrorists fast loosing the battle of Pooneryn

The Army Task Force 1 (TF 1) is making a rapid progress in the Western Kilinochchi battlefront in terms of both ground gains and attrition caused to enemy, reveal the battlefield sources.

Troops completed mop up operations in the strategically located Devils Point area yesterday (Nov 13) and declared the area fully liberated. With this achievement prominent Sea Tiger strongholds at Kiranchi, Vallaipadu and Palavi fell to the Army. Troops having outflanked the terrorists in the Devil’s Point, cramped them into the triangular shaped projection of the mainland to the sea during last few days.

Meanwhile, the main thrust of the TF 1 directed at the Pooneryn LTTE bastion has successfully negotiated the marshlands of Pooneryn and positioned itself just 500 m behind the Pooneryn- Paranathan road (B-69) at an undisclosed location.

According to the battlefield reports, heavy clashes have occurred on the south of Malapukualm in the Nallur area last evening. Troops following the clashes found 3 bodies of slain LTTE cadres, one T-56 riffle, 4 hand grenades, one radio communication set and 2 pouches.

In the South Nivil area troops battled the terrorist during the daytime and found one T-56 riffle , one radio communication set and one hand grenade. Troops claimed heavy damages to the terrorists during the clashes. Also, a similar confrontation was reported from the Putuaddamoddai area around 6.10 PM.

In the Chempankundu area troops found a T-56 riffle, a radio communication set, and a hand grenade following a confrontation occurred in the morning hours.

The TF 1 was raised early this year to liberated the northwestern coast of the Island that runs from Mannar to Pooneryn. Accomplishment of this mission will deny the terrorist use of sea lines of communication across the Palk Strait and open a land route to the Jaffna Peninsula from the southern mainland. At present, the TF1 keeps its forward boundaries just 7 km behind Pooneryn.

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence

Artistes carry peace message through Adishtana Pooja

Shirley WIJESINGHE

Artistes participating in the Adishtana Pooja yesterday. Picture by Rukmal Gamage

The Adishtana Pooja by Sri Lankan artistes aimed at carrying the message of peace and harmony, goodwill and brotherhood and principally organised to clear the air regarding the ongoing humanitarian operations in the North to their protesting South Indian counterparts was held yesterday at Torrington Square with the participation of a large gathering of film and tele-stars and personalities in the art field.

The main objective was to create a true picture of the ongoing humanitarian operations in the North to rescue the innocent civilians trapped in the grip of LTTE terror, veteran actor Ravindra Randeniya, an organiser of the event stated.

A letter was also submitted to South Indian Cinema Artistes and Technicians through the High Commissioner of India following the Adishtana Pooja.

Highlighting the main objective of the event, Randeniya said artistes who have gathered there yearn for a peaceful country. This is the hope and aspiration of the people of this country.

He said whatever community be they Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim and Burgher, had been under threat by the LTTE terrorists’ acts for more than three decades without exception. Today the artistes have raised their voice on their behalf.

There is no country which had been under the threat of terrorists’ cruel acts with assassinations of political leaders and veterans from all the fields, he recalled the bitter past where innocents suffered.

A message signed by artistes stressed that there is no genocide practised against innocent un-armed Tamil civilians in Sri Lanka.

Therefore it is highly unjustifiable to interpret the current humanitarian operation to liberate the Northern Tamils from the clutches of a dictatorial outfit as a kind of genocide against Tamil population.

The letter also explained the history of the LTTE and failed attempts of all Governments to negotiate peace with the outfit.

Courtesy : Daily News

Govt reiterates stand on CFA : LTTE must disarm

The Government’s firm stand on the Ceasefire Agreement is unchanged, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said adding there will not be peace negotiations with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrenders.

Addressing the media yesterday on the weekly security situation at the MCNS, Government Defence Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said during the last few days certain elements behind the LTTE proposed a CFA with the LTTE. “This was the normal practice of the LTTE when they were defeated militarily and weakened. They call for peace negotiation to halt the offensive and avoid the Security Forces’ humanitarian mission to liberate uncleared areas.

Our leaders experienced this during the last three decades,” he added. “Whenever the LTTE proposes a CFA, it always ends it with destruction and a calamity to the Government, public and sovereignty of the country,” Minister Rambukwella remarked.

Minister Rambukwella reiterated that the Government categorically rejects any peace negotiation settlement with the LTTE unless the Tigers lay down arms and surrender to Security Forces. “When President Mahinda Rajapaksa took office he immediately extended an invitation for peace negotiations with the LTTE. The President called the LTTE to the negotiation table in Geneva. The CFA was abused by the LTTE in many occasions since then,” the Minister said.

Minister Rambukwella said during the CFA the Jet Liner ship carrying unarmed forces on holiday and a Navy medical team had come under LTTE fire.

A vegetable market too was bombed in Jaffna. 17 Commandos were killed in an attack, then an attempt was made to assassinate the Army Commander finally and Mavilaru sluice gate was attacked to disrupt the daily life of people who depend on farming.

Following these abuses of the CFA by the LTTE, the Government had decided to erase terrorism and liberate civilians from the LTTE clutches. “The East was liberated and the democracy had been restored. The Easterners were allowed the franchise and their political rights restored, the Minister said.

Minister Rambukwella stressed that the North will be liberated and the humanitarian mission will be continued by the Security Forces. The Government has no any intention to negotiate with the LTTE unless it lays down arms and surrender. We embarked on an humanitarian mission in the North and troops are successfully marching forward and are now in the victory of Kilinochchi.

The entire North and our brothers and sisters entrapped in the Tigers’ grip will be liberated in near future. Democracy will be restored in the North as in the East,” he added.

Courtesy : Daily News

Army 57 Div maneuvering to Kilinochchi

A field commander issuing orders to the troops in front - Akkarayankulam (07 Nov)

The Army 57 division , operating on the main axis of the Wanni theatre of operations are now successfully maneuvering towards the Kilinochchi town, the administrative hub of the LTTE terrorists, say the defence sources.

Daylong clashes were reported yesterday (Nov 13) as troops of 571 and 572 brigades marched further northwards destroying LTTE positions along the western boundary of the Kilinochchi built-up.

Troops had a series of confrontations with the terrorists in the South Pudimurippukulam area, about 6 Km North of Akkarayankualm tank bund . Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed heavy damages to the terrorists. Troops found one body of an LTTE cadre and 3 T-56 riffles during subsequent search operations.

Meanwhile , the foremost fighting elements 571 brigade attacked a group of terrorists in the Adampan area , 9 Km north of Akkarayankulam tank bund in the evening hours. Intercepted LTTE radio transmissions confirmed severe damages to the terrorists. Also, troops of 574 brigade operating on the eastern flank of the Kilinochchi front engaged terrorists in the Mankulam area at several occasions during daytime.

Meanwhile , intercepted LTTE radio transmissions revealed that senior LTTE leader called “Lieutenant Colonel Kali Arasan” was killed in clashes on Wednesday (Nov 12)

Courtesy: Ministry of Defence