President congratulates valiant soldiers, calls LTTE to surrender
President Mahinda Rajapaksa while making the official announcement of capturing the LTTE’s last bastion of the western coast, Pooneryn, commended the valiant troops for their untiring efforts to liberate the strategically important area.
President Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, addressing the nation through the state media also expressed his gratitude to the citizens of the country who have been standing with him at the crucial juncture and for sharing his vision to rid the country from the grip of terrorism.
The following is the full text of President Rajapaksa’s announcement:
I inform the people in this country that our heroic soldiers have been able to liberate the full stretch of the A-32 road (Mannar- Pooneryn) and the Poonaryn area this morning. Now, we can open a land route to the Jaffna Peninsula after many years; I think we can say, it was after the Second Eelam war.
At this moment, I very clearly call Prbhakaran of LTTE to immediately lay down your arms and come to the negotiation table. It is the greatest service that you can do to the people in the Wanni.
We congratulate the war heroes and express our sincere gratitude to the citizens of Sri Lanka who have given their unstinted support to our struggle.
Troops Capture Pooneryn – President Rajapaksa
LTTE loses last naval bastion in the western coast
President Mahinda Rajapaksa after being official informed by Commander of the Army, Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka announced the capturing of Pooneryn ending 20 years LTTE tyranny in the area enabling the Security Forces to open a land supply route to the Jaffna Peninsula.
The area has been used as a hub for sea tiger activities in the Kilali and Muhamalai areas.
According to defense experts Pooneryn is strategically more important than Killinochchi, which only carries a symbolic value.
Troops belonging to the Army’s Task Force 1, entered and captured the LTTE’s most important stronghold Pooneryn after months of heavy fighting this morning (15th), scoring the most important strategic victory so far in the humanitarian mission to liberate the Wanni from the clutches of the terrorists, defence sources announced.
Infantrymen of the 12 Gamunu Watch (12 GW) and the 10 Gajaba Regiment (10 GR) had successfully negotiated the great marshlands south of Pooneryn last night and cut off the Pooneryn-Paranthan road (B-69) close to Nallur before dawn today, according to defence sources.
Troops then marched about 10 Km along the B-69 and entered the Pooneryn town.
According to the defence sources on the field, the terrorists had given a stiff resistance to the advancing troops but are not fast withdrawing towards ‘K-Point’.
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
ICRC Resumes at Omathai as Passage of Convoys Get Streamlined
Officials of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) assumed their duties again at the Omanthai Entry/Exit point Friday morning (14), following an understanding made between the Security Forces and the ICRC. The point thus will hereafter remain open between 9.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. on all days. All traffic on emergency purposes however is to be facilitated accordingly, despite those new opening hours.
Major General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni meanwhile during a special meeting held Friday (14) morning with Head of the ICRC mission in Vavuniya, Ms Vallery, Vavuniya District Secretary, Ms. Charles and the General Officer Commanding for Vavuniya jointly agreed to dispatch all food convoys twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) in single files, similar to those of the UN convoys and other traffic on all days as usual.
Friday’s meeting took place following a directive given by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who visited Wanni Secrity Forces Headquarters on Thursday (13).
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Courtesy - SL Army
Commander In chief Congratulates valiant troops
His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces has congratulated the valiant soldiers who liberated the Poonaryn area from terrorist clutches today (Nov 15).
Addressing the nation through the state media, President Rajapaksa declared the Army’s victory at Poonaryn and congratulated the soldiers. He also expressed his gratitude to the citizens of the country who have been sharing his vision to rid the country of terrorism and to free the next generation from the horrors of war.
The President’s speech in full:
I inform the people in this country that our heroic soldiers have been able to liberate the full stretch of the A-32 road (Mannar- Pooneryn) and the Poonaryn area this morning. Now, we can open a land route to the Jaffna Peninsula after many years ; I think we can say , it was after the Second Eelam war .
At this moment, I very clearly call Prbhakaran of LTTE to immediately lay down your arms and come to the negotiation table. It is the greatest service that you can do to the people in the Wanni.
We congratulate the war heroes and express our sincere gratitude to the citizens of Sri Lanka who have given their unstinted support to our struggle.
Courtesy: Ministry of Defence
