No ‘rest’ for the Tigers

Top Cat’s Heroes’ Day speech would be best read between the lines

A team of Special Forces moved slowly into position and waited in the jungle. It was a long wait. Minutes turned to hours. Finally, a group of Tigers were seen approaching. A signal was passed between the Special Forces. All hell broke loose as automatic fire opened up on the unsuspecting Tigers. Within a few minutes, five Tigers were killed and many wounded.

The above story is not a Hollywood war trailer. This is what happened in Thampanne, Vavuniya.
Sri Lanka Army infantry units have Special Infantry (OTS) Orientation Training for soldiers. A brainchild of Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, who had given specific instructions to his officers to train soldiers in strategy and tactics. After completion of training, soldiers are dispatched to the battle front.

Well-trained officers and soldiers keep casualties to a minimum in their confrontations with the LTTE.

The nature of war (civil or conventional) in any part of world is that deaths and casualties are inevitable.

At 5.30 am., on November 20, it was raining heavily in Muhamalai. OTS troops infiltrated LTTE Forward Defence Lines (FDL) destroyed three bunkers and killed five LTTE cadres.

On November 19, Budget voting day in Parliament, public attention was focused on Parliament. Nevertheless, officers and soldiers don’t have the time for the Budget, because their duty is more important. On November 19 in Vavuniya East Omanthi Navalkulam, the 2nd Gajaba Regiment (GR) OTS team ambushed LTTE cadres and killed six of them.

In Villathikulam, 8 GR’s, OTS team ambushed an LTTE group and killed three.

In Mullikulam, 9th Gamunu Watch (GW) confronted an LTTE group and killed three Tigers. Meanwhile, a soldier died and another wounded.
In Mannar, Palampiddi, a Task Force confronted a group of LTTE cadres, killing four and wounding many more. Four soldiers died in the fighting.

On November 18, troops detecting LTTE movement northeast of Navathkulama in the Wanni, at 12.30pm., fired rocket propelled grenade (RPG) killing two terrorists, ground sources said. Meanwhile, three soldiers were wounded in an anti-personnel mine explosion at Kandapermakulam, according to military reports.

Four terrorists were killed and three others seriously injured when troops ambushed a group of LTTE terrorists in the general area of Periyathampane.

Meanwhile, two terrorists were killed and three others wounded in clashes in the general area of Umayaratuvrankulam at the Wanni defences, troops said, citing intercepted enemy communication.
On November 18, at 9.10 am, a terrorist, while attempting to breach defence lines, was shot dead by troops at Parappakandal, security sources said. Separately, in the general area of Nelachchena in Mannar, at 9.30 pm, troops confirmed that two LTTE terrorists were killed while four others were wounded.

On Saturday, November 17, morning, the Army Chief, accompanied by the Director Operations, Brig. Udaya Perera flew to Vavuniya, for a conference with Wanni top brass which included Wanni Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasooriya, GOC 56 Div. Brig. Jagath Rabukapotha, GOC 57 Div. Brig. Jagath Dias, 1 Task Force Commander Brig. Shavindra de Silva, Mannar Area Commander Brig. Channa Gunathilake, Wiloya area commander Brig. Mohan Jayawardane and Special Force commander Col. Nirmal Dharmarathne.

Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya in his briefing reported the killing of 118 LTTE cadres within two weeks.

Each GOC, Area Commanders, briefed the Army Chief on their tasks. After their briefing, the Army Chief gave special instructions to the field commanders and flew back to Colombo. Just as the LTTE lost the north and east, the army will liberate Madhu, a senior military officer said, adding that the operation is slow and steady. Deepam has replaced Jeayam as the LTTE leader in Vavuniya. He has instructed area leaders not to dispatch any bodies to Killinochchi but, to bury them in north Mannar and north Vavuniya, since the arrival of bodies in Killinochchi, would demoralize the cadres in Kilinochchi.

LTTE commemoration week began yesterday (20) and would go on till November 27.

Security within Colombo and for VIP’s was beefed up. There were intelligence reports of suicide bombers in the city. Random roadblocks and search operations continue. Police and security forces urge the public to bear with the inconvenience, for the sake of the country, as well as to be vigilant for any suspicious persons, or vehicles and inform the police or security forces if they do.

In Kilinochchi and Mulativu security has been strengthened by the LTTE leadership and all leaders have been warned to limit their traveling and to do so only after road clearing has taken place.

During the cease-fire period, Prabakaran addressed his cadres last year, from an undisclosed location. Will he address them on November 27, from his bunker? Yes, most likely, because he knows very well that, if he comes out, he could be targeted by the Air Force.

What would Prabhakaran have to say in his speech on November 27, at 5.30 pm?

Prabhakarana knows very well that the LTTE is confined only to Kilinochchi and Mulativu. They lack manpower and logistics. The most important factor is the Air Force’s accurate bombing.

Whenever the LTTE was weakened militariliy, Prabhakaran preaches peace, because his intention is to regroup and rearm. Will he say he is committed to peace, and try the same strategy? Then what will be the government’s response? Will he declare the State of Eelam?