Friday, January 30, 2009

Allow free movement to the civilians in 48 hours- President urges LTTE

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, President of Sri Lanka has urged the LTTE to allow the civilians held as a human shield in Wanni to go for their safety. In statement issued yesterday (Jan 29) he further assures safer passage to a security environment.

The statement in full:

My Government, since its election, has always been concerned about the welfare of all citizens of Sri Lanka and their economic and social progress. The welfare of the citizens of the Northern and Eastern Provinces, especially of those in areas dominated by the LTTE, has been of even greater concern to my Government. As a result, my Government has always been committed to usher peace in those regions so that all people of Sri Lanka, especially those in the North and the East will have the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and choose their leaders freely through elections to realise their political aspirations within the democratic framework that has flourished in Sri Lanka for long years.

However, all efforts for finding solutions peacefully for outstanding issues in the North and the East were repudiated by the LTTE and I was compelled to take measures to combat the terrorism unleashed by the LTTE on the people of Sri Lanka. In the efforts to eradicate terrorism and in the humanitarian operations to free civilians from suffering and insecurity, the Government and the Security Forces have been conscious of the welfare of civilians, their lives and property at all times.

In addition, as a democratically elected Government with a clear mandate from the people, we have always been determined to protect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and to find solutions to all problems within a democratic framework while uniting all the people of Sri Lanka.

In this context, the Security Forces have been successful in conducting their mandated operations to achieve these objectives of the Government and the people of Sri Lanka.

The Government is now poised to take decisive steps that will enable an environment conducive for the reintroduction of democracy that will provide the people of the Northern Province an opportunity to exercise their right to elect their leaders by free choice so that solutions can be found for all outstanding issues through negotiation and discussion and not through violence.

As a result of the operations by Security Forces, LTTE control over civilians is now confined to a small area in the Northern Province and a large number of civilians are being held there forcibly by the LTTE, thus endangering innocent civilian lives.

Being acutely conscious of the welfare of the civilians forcibly being held in the conflict zone by the LTTE, we have declared a safe zone for civilians, the co-ordinates of which were announced by the Security Forces.

This is to ensure that they stay out of harm's way during engagements between Security Forces and armed LTTE cadres, and to assure the safety and security of civilians.

It is unfortunate that the LTTE is exploiting this declared safe zone for civilians by placing their heavy artillery within the safe zone and using it as a launching pad to attack Security Forces and indiscriminately kill civilians."

"I urge the LTTE, within the next 48 hours to allow free movement of civilians to ensure their safety and security. For all those civilians, I assure a safe passage to a secure environment.

I also assure all those living in the North and in conflict areas in particular, that vacating LTTE held areas will ensure the physical, security and enable peace, freedom and rights for all citizens of the country."

Sri Lanka Navy destroys LTTE suicide boat - Mullaittivu

Sri Lanka Navy attack boats deployed in the Mullaittivu seas have destroyed an LTTE suicide boat around 3 this morning (Jan 30). According to the navy sources , the navy boats deployed in the sea blockade along the northeastern coast have intercepted the explosive laden boat launched from Mullaittivu coast and destroyed it by directing heavy gunfire at the incoming terrorist boat.

At present, Sri Lanka Navy has deployed 4 blockades along the northeastern coast of the island to prevent LTTE arms supplies and escaping LTTE cadres via sea routes. The Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) and the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) units maintain their blockade closest to the coast while Fast Attack Flotilla 4 (FAF4) maintained the second barrier in the coastal waters. The third and the fourth barriers are maintained by the Gunboats and Offshore Patrol Vessels that extends from territorial waters to the blue waters.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

In the line of duty (pictures)










LTTE underwater vehicles found - Mullaittivu

Sri Lanka Army Task Force 3 found an LTTE underwater vehicle  along with 3 other smaller underwater vehicles which are still under construction from the Udayarkattukulam area in Mullaittivu yesterday  morning (Jan 28). Military sources said that this was the most startling recovery made by troops so far during the on going counter terrorist operations against the LTTE. Three suicide boats  and a large haul of LTTE maritime equipment were also found at the location , the sources added.

The sources further revealed , the largest underwater vehicle found  is about 35 feet in length and amour plated.  Among the other items found , there were one low bed trailer, one armour plate used for bending machines, fifteen oxy-acetylene welding cylinders, thirty armour plate sheets of 20 ft each, three pedal-type suicide boats, one Dvora-type fast attack craft, a large number of water pumps, two lorries, two buses, one truck, one heavy duty generator, one water bowzer trailer, one bowzer, filled with kerosene, two large lathe machines, two powerful compressors, one welding plant, a number of electric motors, one large lifting jack, many boats and vehicle engines, three hangar-shaped buildings of 75 ft x 15 ft each, fifteen small tiled-houses of 20 ft x 30 ft with full air conditioning and five tiled-billets of 25 ft x 100 ft with full air conditioning.

The discovery was made by the infantrymen of 4 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (4 SLLI) commanded by Major Najeewa Edirisinghe. 
 

With this discovery the LTTE will go down in the history as the first terrorist organization to develop underwater weapons. Also, the LTTE is the first terrorist outfit to introduce suicide bombers to the world and to develop naval and air arms.

Defence observers are in the view that the LTTE has been able to come this far in terrorism warfare because of the leeway given the outfit by the international community. Until recently, the LTTE sympathizers were given opportunity to raise funds freely in the western countries to buy arms and ammo. The outfit has been able to operate a fleet of ships to smuggle arms, engage in drug trafficking and human smuggling to make money, etc, in many parts of the world. With hired hands in many international media, NGOs and various other front organizations the outfit has been able to portray itself as a liberation organization to the world and to put international pressure on the government when taking military action against it.

The following pictures show their latest contribution to the world of terrorism :







Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Pictures of Visuamadu Town















58 Div troops reach Visuamadu Junction; battles enter last phase at Mullaittivu


Troops of the 58 Division after hours of fierce fighting that ensued with LTTE have reached the Visuamdu junction, this afternoon (Jan 28).

LTTE resistances were rattled during the multi-frontal military assault, ground sources said adding that scores of terrorists were killed and many injured during the fighting.

According to military sources, troops have also gained control over a 10km stretch of the road, running North of Visuamadu via Puliyampokkanai towards Chundikkulama. Troops are now engaged in mopping up the remaining LTTE resistances South of Visuamadu and Piramanthal kulama. LTTE terrorists unable to withstand the military onslaught have further fled towards the declared safer zones at Teravilkulam and Udayarkattukulama, military sources said. Meanwhile, LTTE terrorists have continued firing heavy artillery towards security forces from the declared civilian safety region. "This is an exhibit of utmost contempt to norms of humanity and the lives of the thousands entrapped", a military official said. Security forces have been resilient on securing the safety of the civilians held by LTTE, despite continuous provocations made by the outfit for a military retaliation towards the safe zone, the official further said.

According to available civilian and military ground information, terrorists are concentrating arsenal and fighting units among the civilians in light for what defence observe identify to trigger a 'last minute civilian tragedy.' Thousands of innocent Tamil civilians are held at gunpoint under unprecedented hardships by the LTTE at these safe regions until its senior ranks sketch out an escape route, defence observes further stated.

Meanwhile, during subsequent search operations conducted troops have also found a bus and a recovery vehicle which is believed used to trail artillery guns, security sources said.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Final Countdown (1/26/2009 9:25:02 AM)


Sri Lanka Armed Forces have reached the final stage of their counter terrorist operation fought against Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for more than two and half decades . The mission of our armed forces is to free our nation from clutches of terrorism and to make it a country where all Sri Lankans can live in peace and harmony.

The ongoing phase of the battle commenced in August 2006 when terrorists closed down the Mavil Aru sluice gates denying water for more than 30,000 civilians. The terrorists initially had their domination over an area of 15000 square kilometers in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces. The LTTE terrorism was eradicated from the Eastern Province by August 2007.

Land operations were commenced in the Northern Province in March 2007 with the induction of the Army's 57 Division to the Vavuniya area. The second offensive division Task Force 1 was inducted to the battlefield from Mannar in September 2007. Army opened its 3rd battlefront from Welioya with the induction of the 59 Division in January 2008.

At present, the army has engaged 5 offensive Divisions and 3 Task Forces at remaining LTTE hiding areas in Wanni. LTTE terrorists are boxed in to a triangular shape land marked by A-9 road from the West, A-34 road from South and the Northeastern coast from the East. The below is a brief description of the operations carried out by the army offensive divisions engaged in the battlefield

57 Division

The 57th Division (57 Div) commanded by Major General Jagath Dias commenced its operations in March 2007 in Vavuniya. The Division was maneuvered directly at the LTTE's heartland Kilinochchi, cutting across the strategically vital northwestern coast and the A-9 road. Time Line

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.24 April 2008Madhu church complex
02.16 May 2008Palampiddi Town
03.23 May 2008Mundumurippu village
04.15 June 2008Periyamadhu village
05.11 July 2008Naddankandal village
06.13 Aug 2008Kalvilan Village
07.22 Aug 2008Thunukkai and Uilankulam Towns
08.02 Sept 2008Mallavi Town
09.29 Oct 2008Akkarayankulam tank bund
10.05 Nov 2008Akkarayankulam built-up
11.01 Dec 2008Kokavil town
12.10 Dec 2008Terumurikandy junction
13.02 Jan 2009Kilinochchi town
14.17 Jan 2009Ramanathapuram

 

58 Division

The Army 58th Division earlier known as the Task Force 1 commanded by Brigadier Shavendra Silva commenced its operations from Mannar in September 2007. This was the Division that maneuvered along the Northwestern coast of the Island and denied the LTTE of their vital lifeline that existed across the Palk Strait.

Timeline

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.09 May 2008Adampan town
02.24 June 2008

Mullikkandal, Minnaniranchan and Marattikannaddi villages

03.29 June 2008

The Mannar Rice Bowl"- Alankulama, Andankulama, Alakaddiveli, Parappakandal, Parappukadatan, Papamoddai,Odupallam, Neduvarampu, Kannaputtukulama and Vannakulama, villages

04.30 June 2008Linked up with 57 Div -southwest of Periyamadhu
05.16 July 2008Vidattaltivu town
06.02 Aug 2008Illuppaikkadavai township
07.12 Aug 2008Vellankulam town
08.12 Aug 2008Mulankavil and Pallavarayankaddu areas
09.21 Aug 2008Nachchikudha
10.16 Oct 2008Maniyankulama
11.20 Oct 2008Vannerikkulama
12.28 Oct 2008Nochchimodai
13.29 Oct 2008Jeyapuram
14. 29 Oct 2008Nachchikuda
15.10 Nov 2008Kiranchi
16.13 Nov 2008Devil's Point and Vallaipadu
17.15 Nov 2008Pooneryn
18.23 Dec 2008'Sinna-Paranthan'
19.26 Dec 2008Nalanawakulam village
20.01 Jan 2009Paranthan
21.08 Jan 2009Murasumoddai
22.15 Jan 2009Dharmapuram


59 Division

The Army 59th Division commanded by Brigadier Nandana Udawatte commenced its operations from the WeIioya area in January 2008. Troops of this division slowly but successfully marched across the Andankulam and Nagancholai forest reserves that stood as natural defences for the LTTE's main military bastion in Mullaittivu.

Timeline

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.30 May 2008Munagam Base
02.04 July 2008Michael Base
03.27 July 2008'Sugandan' base
04.16 Aug 2008Jeevan Base
05.21 Aug 2008West of Nayaroo lagoon
06.23 Oct 2008Gajabapura
07.11 Nov 2008Kumulamunai village
08.29 Nov 2008Otiyamalai
09.26 Dec 2008Mulliyawalai
10.25 Jan 2009Mullaittivu Town

 

53 Division

The Army 53rd Division commanded by Brigadier Kamal Gunarathne was initially manning the forward defence line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area south of A-9 road and was one of the two Army Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.

 

55 Divison

The Army 55th Division commanded by Brigadier Prasanna Silva was initially manning the forward defence line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area north of A-9 road and was one of the two Army Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.

 

Task Force 2

The Army Task Force 2 commanded by Brigadier Rohana Bandara commenced its operations in June 2008 from the South of Palamoddai area. This was the first Army offensive element to maneuver along the west-east axis across A-9.

Timeline

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.11 July 2008Navvi village
02.04 Dec 2008Puliyankulam
03.05 Dec 2008Kanakarayankulam
04.21 Jan 2009Udayarkattukulam Tank Bund

 

Task Force 3

The Army Task Force 3 commanded by Brigadier Sathyapirya Liyanage commenced its operations in November 2008 from the Vannivilankulam area. This was the second Army offensive element to maneuver along the west-east axis across A-9.

Timeline

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.17 Nov 2008Mankulama
02. 25 Nov 2008Olumadu
03.15 Dec 2008Ampakamam

 

Task Force 4

The Army Task Force 4 commanded by Brigadier Nishantha Wanniarachchi commenced its operations in December 2008 from the Nadunkerni area. This was the second offensive element inducted to the Mullaittivu battlefront after the Army 59 Div.

Serial NoDateArea Liberated
01.20 Dec 2008Nadunkerni
02.04 Jan 2009Oddusuddan
03.12 Jan 2009Keridattadu


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