Army launches operation to liberate Madhu

The Sri Lanka Army has launched an operation to liberate the holy Madhu church and civilians, from the LTTE’s terrorist grip, a Senior Army Officer said. “Our strategy and tactics are different, and we will surprise the LTTE,” he further added.

Despite heavy rain, troops from the 57 Division are moving towards Madhu.
57 Division is commanded by Brigadier C. Dias, under direct instruction from Army Commander Lt.Gen Sarath Fonseka, and is supervised by Vavuniya SF Commander, Major General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Troops belonging to 572 Brigade have been able to gain control of the ,south of Madhu and southeast of Madhu.

“Although, there is rain, we use rain to our advantage. We have trained our officers and soldiers to combat with terrorists, under any form of weather condition, and weather does not obstruct us,” Lt Gen. Sarath Fonseka said.
Army is 5 Km away from Madhu, and LTTE caders have mounted 81 mm mortars, surrounding the Madhu Holy church area, and are firing towards advancing troops. But troops don’t fire any mortars, and even in the future, troops won’t be firing any mortars in the LTTE direction, because, the army commander has given an order that, under no circumstance, must mortars be fired, because they can cause damage, to the Madhu Holy Church.

There are possibilities that, the LTTE cardres would damage the church, and put the blame on the army, because there was evidence that LTTE used the Holy Church in Mannar, Parappakandal, as their bunker.

Certain media have said that, LTTE doesn’t fire any mortars, but, a senior army officer said, that, artillery radars indicate that, the LTTE fired mortars from a point close to Madhu church area. Mannar Bishop Joseph Rayappu had appealed, both the army and the LTTE, for the area to be declared, as a, non-military zone.

The entire area has buried mines laid by the LTTE, and troops are moving step by step and defusing mines daily. Whenever, there is an advantage for troops, soldiers move further. Meanwhile, well-trained sniper marksmen have been deployed, and they take accurate targets. Sniper marksmen were able to gun down three area leaders, in Mannar.

Army is progressing towards shutting down the LTTE supply route of Palampidi North Madhu, as well as West Madhu, close to Mannar border. When army shuts down the supply route to Madhu, LTTE cadres will be isolated, and there would be only two options for them - either to surrender or commit suicide.

Military sources said two terrorists were killed, when troops opened fire at a group of terrorists, detected in Navatkulama and the other terrorists fled the area.

In Welioya
Troops of 59 Division, commanded by Brigadier N Udawatthe, are infiltrating Welioya LTTE controlled area in small groups, about 6KM from their original position, and are consolidating, their position.

On the Welioya battlefront, troops are advancing towards the LTTE strongholds in Mullaitivu district, and had several confrontations, in general areas of Andankulama and Kiribbanweva during the course of the day. According to military reports, 11 terrorists were killed and at least 20 others were injured, during these clashes. Two soldiers were also killed and 5 others suffered injuries on the same battlefront.

On 16th, three terrorists were killed by the Sri Lanka Army in a clash which erupted North of Janakapura, on the Welioya battlefront.

According to sources, troops found three bodies of slain LTTE cadres, along with three T-56 riffles during the subsequent search. Troops suffered no casualties in the incident, the sources added.

Military Officials from Welioya said that, 17 civilians including 04 children arrived at the army camp at Pulmoddai, around six o-clock morning, on sixteenth. The civilians revealed that, they managed to escape from the LTTE stronghold, in Mullaithvu, where they had been living under continued harassment, by the terrorists.

According to the sources, the group of civilians comprised of 13 adults, 8 males and 5 females, and 4 children.

Welioya is the gateway to Mullaitivu. Mullaitivu is extremely important to the LTTE, because, their main arms and explosives unloading position, training bases and administration bases are located in Mullaitivu.

LTTE desperate
LTTE never expected Sri Lanka Army Commander to implement, separate divisions, at crucial times, in Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya, which drew LTTE cadres, killing them.

In Eelam war four, for the first time in the history, the army divided their fire power, into four, which the LTTE has not experienced before. Now they have to utilise their cadres and arms in four fronts. At the same time, the Air Force also maintains air bombardment of LTTE training bases and weapon and explosives storages.

As a result, the LTTE is shifting their explosives and weapons to Kilinochchi underground bunkers.

LTTE leadership suspects foreign intelligence is conducting covert operations in Sri Lanka. As a result, LTTE asked all NGOs and INGOs to vacate Mullaitivu, and also some of them stationed in Kilinochchi, Paranthan, Kilinochchi town and Vavuniya.

LTTE has warned foreign and local NGO and INGO members not to convey the situation in Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi, to any civilians or security forces personnel, in Vavuniya or Colombo. If any members of NGOs and INGOs convey the situation about the LTTE, they will face dire consequences, they have been warned.

LTTE strategy and tactics
LTTE has convinced TNA Parliament members that, they are interested to go ahead with the peace process.

When LTTE is weakened and low on military and manpower, they want to regroup with arms shipments, and therefore, they talk peace. When they are militarily strong, the LTTE attacks security forces and civilians. This has happened during the past 25 years, four times.

But will the government go for peace talks?
LTTE has paid Rs. 500,000 to Rs1,000,000 to Sinhalese and Muslims (young and older males and females) to do spy-work for the LTTE, facilitate safe houses and hide explosives and arms.

Security forces have detected some of those spies in Colombo and suburbs, and revealed LTTE links with South. The LTTE also has connections with underworld leaders, which they built up, during the peace process. When LTTE secretary of Peace Secretariat, Pulidevan was in Colombo and stayed in a luxury hotel, he met several underworld leaders, and built up the links.

U.S. State Department donates anti-terrorism equipment to National Police

The United States Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Office of Anti-terrorism Assistance donated approximately $220,000 worth of equipment, to the Sri Lanka National Police (SLNP) in a brief ceremony, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 9:00 a.m,. at the American Embassy. 

The purpose of the equipment is to sustain and enhance the critical capabilities of the security forces of Sri Lanka, in their efforts to fight terrorism.  The donation consists of three Explosives Incident Countermeasures kits, two Post-Blast Investigation kits and two Hostage Negotiations kits, which will be divided between the SLNP and the Special Task Force. 

IGP Y.P. Victor Perera, as well as Senior Deputy Inspector General – Administration – Mr. Bodhi Liyanage; Senior Deputy Inspector General – Range III – Mr. Mahinda Balasooriya; Senior Deputy Inspector General – Range IV – Mr. Nimal Illangakoon; and Deputy Inspector General – Commandant / Special Task Force – Mr. Nimal Lewke attend the donation ceremony.