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2008
blasts LTTE’s myth of ‘invincibility’
The
myth and respite that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) enjoyed all these years, of it being invincible, and
the world’s top ‘liberation Army,’ started
to crumble the day that the outfit got emboldened and cut
off the irrigation water supply at Mavil Aru. A somewhat cautious
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who refused to give the order
for a crackdown on the terrorists, lost his patience after
the LTTE blocked the waters to the civilians at Mavil Aru.
The green light was given, and since that day the Sri Lankan
Security Forces and Police have never looked back. For the
first time in the history of the nearly three decade Eelam
war, the Tigers are getting the beating of their lives.
During the two year ceasefire period entered into by the then
Government with the LTTE, the three Forces and Police never
purchased even a single bullet in preparation for fighting.
They trusted and banked on peace. A peace that Velupillai
Prabhakaran cheated on.
LTTE admits they are being defeated
During a recent interview with a foreign wire service, former
Policeman turned LTTE Peace Secretariat head, P. Nadesan had
said that although Kilinochchi might be lost, the LTTE will
continue with the battle. This gives a strong indication that
the LTTE is losing Kilinochchi, its self proclaimed ‘administrative
capital’. The Tigers will never ever battle to the last
man. They are too shrewd for that. When all is lost, the Tigers
are definitely going to bury all their weapons, ammunition
and other materials and revert back to posing as civilians.
This happened in parts of the liberated east and will happen
even in the north.
As another eventful year ends, and we’re hoping for a
better year, where not war but peace may reign, a brief retrospective
summary of the events of this year, 2008, would be relevant.
My sincere thanks go out to the security forces for the details
provided on my request.
Progress of Military operation
The two Divisions of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) that have spearheaded
the ‘humanitarian operations’ to liberate the north
of the island from LTTE grip are the SLA 57 and 59 Divisions.
The 57 Division was deployed on February 02, 2007 at Pompemadu
under the command of Brigadier Sumith Manawadu, and currently
is under the command of Major General Jagath Dias. The 59
Division was deployed on 07.01.2008 at Welioya under Brigadier
Nandana Udawatte.
The Task Force I was deployed on 23.09.2007 at Silawaturai
under the command of Brigadier Chagi Gallage and now has advanced
to Poonaryn under the leadership of Brigadier Shavindra Silva,
while the Task Force II which began on 14.06.2008 from Vilayatikulam,
under Colonel Ralph Nugera is now in Omanthai under Brig.
Rohana Bandara.
The 58 Division, which was then Task Force I and commanded
by Brigadier Chagi Gallage was deployed on February 29 2007.
These divisions kicked off their operations towards the northern
theatre from south of Mannar towards Silavaturai, which they
gained control initially. Brig. Shavindra Silva was able to
clear the entire Mannar Rice Bowl area with two Brigades 581
and 582, and later 583 Brigade too was added in November,
when the LTTE was dominating the Vavuniya-Mannar road. The
58 Division implemented effective strategies and tactics under
direction of Sri Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka
and ably assisted by Vavuniya Security Forces Commander Maj.
Gen. Jagath Jayasooriya in 2008. Within the year the 58 Division
was able to liberate the entire Mannar district as well as
the western coastal line, which is a significant blow to the
LTTE. This is because this coastal belt was the most important
point for the LTTE to engage in the smuggling of all its arms
and ammunition from South India. During the latter part of
this year the 58 Division was also able to gain control over
Pooneryn (also called Poonakari in Tamil), a crucial strategic
hub for LTTE. When Pooneryn was under the LTTE, Tiger cadres
fired artillery rounds across the lagoon towards the Palali
runway in the Jaffna Peninsula. Today, Jaffna has no threat
of artillery fire from Pooneryn. The 58 Division had advanced
some 80 kms northwards.
Meanwhile, the 57 Division commanded by Major General Jagath
Dias has moved towards the north and south from Vavuniya,
and in 2008 has had a remarkable achievement of liberating
the Holy Madhu Church area. Troops infiltrated enemy positions
and killed the maximum number of LTTE cadres. At the moment
the 57 Division troops are located south of Iranamadu and
Kilinochchi. They are facing and repulsing LTTE counter attacks.
While retaliating, troops are overcoming the massive earth
bunds put up by the LTTE. They are poised to enter Kilinochchi
at any moment now. In 2008, the 57 Division has advanced some
60kms into enemy territory.
Meanwhile, the 59 Division commenced its operation on 07.01.2008
from the Welioya area, under the commanded of Brig. Nandana
Udawatta. The achievements of this Division with formations
591, 592 and 593 Brigades with the support of artillery, advanced
and captured one of the island’s thickest jungle areas
of Andankulam, home to numerous LTTE camps and training bases.
Troops destroyed these Tiger military installations and advance
further and captured Nayaru lagoon. They advanced still further
and captured two main LTTE bastions of Alampil and Kumalamunai,
from where it is only eight kilometres to Mullativu town.
On the west flank the 59 Division was able to capture three-fourths
of Mulliavali in the Mullaitivu district. Within this year
the 59 Division has gained control of 40 kms of enemy territory.
The recently formed Tasked Force III commanded by Colonel
Sathyapriya Liyanage commenced its operation during the first
week of November, operating from west of the A9 road. It advanced
to Mankulam, Olumadu and Ampakamam village in the Mullaitivu
district along the A34 road and has advanced 12 kms within
one month to north-east of Mullativu.
The Task Force IV from Welioya commanded by Colonel Nishantha
Wanniarachichi has gone up to Nedumkerni, while the Task force
II under Brigadier Rohana Bandara has advanced captured Puliyakulam.
Bperations carried out by Navy in 2008 to date
2008-01-07: TRINCOMALEE: Three LTTE terrorists were killed
in a confrontation with the Navy on Monday at 7.30 p.m. in
Kuchchuweli area. A search operation conducted by the Navy
recovered 3 LTTE bodies, 4 T-56 assault rifles, 360 rounds
of T-56 ammunition, dry rations and medical equipment. Three
LTTE bodies were handed over to the LTTE through the ICRC.
2008-06-11: MANNAR - Five Sea Tigers including a Sea Tiger
leader Sirimaran were killed by the Navy troops in a confrontation,
when Sea Tigers attempted to attack a Navy detachment in Irukkalampiddi
around 02.15 am. The Sea Tigers had approached the Navy detachment
by sea and the flotilla of boats was led by Sirimaran. Naval
personnel successfully repulsed the attack completely destroying
one LTTE boat. In the incident three sailors died and another
two were injured.
2008-07-18: WILPATTU - A Sri Lanka Navy patrol conducting
a search operation around 5.30 on in the Moderagam Aru area,
Wilpattu, recovered an 18-foot fiberglass boat fitted with
a 9.9 HP outboard engine (OBM) and a fiberglass “teppam”.
2008-07-22: MULLAITTIVU - Naval fast attack craft observed
and engaged a fleet of terrorist boats proceeding towards
Pulmoddai from Nayaru area keeping about two nautical miles
from land around 1.30 am. Naval craft gave chase and engaged
these craft. Reports confirmed that one boat was completely
destroyed while two more were severely damaged. The terrorists
fled along with the damaged boats back to Nayaru.
Naval reports stated that around ten LTTE terrorists had been
killed during this confrontation. Naval troops suffered no
damages during this incident.
2008-08-26: TRINCOMALEE - Ten sailors were reported wounded
during the attack launched by the LTTE on the Naval Base in
Trincomalee. The LTTE launched an air attack which was successfully
thwarted by the Security Forces.
2008-09-18: KILINOCHCHI – In clashes which occurred in
the Iranathiuv seas close to Nachchikuda Naval troops completely
destroyed ten LTTE Sea Tiger boats. Around 25-30 Sea Tiger
cadres suspected to have been killed in the confrontation.
Naval reports stated that two Navy personnel were wounded
during the attack.
2008-09-29: KILINOCHCHI- Eight LTTE terrorists were killed
by the Naval Special boat squadron destroying two LTTE boats
in the Kalmunai Point PoonariN area around 11.00 pm.
2008-10-22: KANKESANTURAI / JAFFNA: Three LTTE suicide boats
made a desperate attempt to carry out a suicide attack targeting
the merchant ships RUHUNA and NIMALAWA which were transporting
humanitarian aid in the northern sea of Sri Lanka around 05.10
am. Navy fast patrol craft providing security to such vessels
were able to thwart the attack destroying two approaching
LTTE suicide boats before they rammed on to the ships. One
boat was captured by the Navy while the other was captured.
However the merchant ship Nimalawa suffered minor damages
due to one LTTE suicide boat exploding in close proximity.
2008-11-01: JAFFNA - The Sri Lanka Navy destroyed four LTTE
Sea Tiger craft killing 14 and inflicting injuries to 16 other
terrorists in the sea off Nagarkovil in Jaffna. Five sailors
were also reported wounded in action.
2008-11-18: MULLAITTIVU: The Navy Special Boat Squadron engaged
seven LTTE Sea Tiger boats off Nayaru Lagoon. Two Tiger boats
were completely destroyed while a large command boat was severely
damaged. According to intercepted LTTE communication, the
Navy states that six LTTE Sea Tiger cadres were killed and
a large number wounded.
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