OPERATION LIBERATION
Liberation of the East
Mavil Aru – July 21, 2006
A new crisis leading to the first large-scale fighting since signing of the ceasefire occurred when the LTTE closed the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru (Mavil Oya) reservoir on July 21 and cut the water supply to 15,000 villages in government controlled areas.
After the initial negotiations by the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) to open the gates failed, the Air Force attacked the LTTE positions on the July 26, and ground troops began an operation to open the gates. The government spokesman stated that the government remained committed to the ceasefire. Likewise, the LTTE also claimed that they were committed to the ceasefire.
The sluice gates were eventually reopened on the August 8, with conflicting reports as to who actually opened them. Initially, the SLMM claimed that they managed to persuade the LTTE to lift the waterway blockade conditionally. However, a government spokesman said that “utilities cannot be used as bargaining tools” by the rebels and the government forces launched fresh attacks on the LTTE positions around the reservoir. These attacks prompted condemnation from SLMM Chief of Staff, who stated “The government does have the information that the LTTE has made this offer.” “It is quite obvious they are not interested in water. They are interested in something else.”
As the battle warmed up, the LTTE claimed that they opened the sluice gates “on humanitarian grounds” although this was disputed by military correspondents, who stated that the water began flowing immediately after the security forces carried out a precise bombing of the Mavil Oya anicut. Eventually, following heavy fighting with the rebels, government troops gained full control of the Mavil Oya reservoir the on August 15.
Battle of Muttur and Sampur
September 4, 2006
The Sri Lankan military gained control of the Sampur town of eastern Trincomalee District on September 4, 2006, where the area used by the LTTE as an artillery launching pad to attack Trincomalee Port. The SLA military offensive began in August 2006 and the area was under the LTTE control for years. President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced capturing of Sampur as he addressed the 55th annual conference of the ruling SLFP.
The battle of Sampur, close to Muttur, lasted nearly a month. The SLA gained control of the area on the September 4, 2006 after heavy fighting.
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PRABHA KILLED
By Santhush Fernando
The once-thought invincible, the world’s number one terrorist and LTTE supremo- Vellupillai Prabhakaran (54) was confirmed killed yesterday.
Velupillai Prabhakaran- wanted by Sri Lanka, India and the Interpol for atrocities committed, is now no more.
It said Prabhakaran, along with his intelligence chief Pottu Amman- who had been spearheading operations during LTTE’s last days and Soosai, the head of the Tiger naval wing, met their end in an ambush in Mullivaikkal, while trying to escape the war zone in an ambulance.
BBC said yesterday reported Prabhakaran’s death, saying 250 Tamil Tigers were also killed overnight.
The body of Charles Anthony |
Troops of 53, 58 and 59 Divisions foiled the LTTE’s last attempt to evacuate its top leaders yesterday morning (May 18). According to the latest battlefield reports, soldiers have located over 150 bodies of LTTE cadres so far. The process of identifying the terrorist bodies is in progress.
Military also said that bodies of LTTE chief’s eldest son and air wing chief-Charles Anthony, LTTE’s political head- B. Nadesan, head of LTTE peace secretariat- S. Pulidevan, former special commander of East- S. Ramesh, deputy intelligence leader- Kapil Amman and police chief- Ilango have been identified. Charles Anthony’s buddy-Sudarman, a black tiger leader-Rathnam Master have also died, Military said.
The heads of country’s tri-forces met President Mahinda Rajapaksa- the Commander-in-Chief last evening to formally inform the President of the victory.
The Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka said the military had “accomplished its mission of defeating the terrorists and liberated the entire country”.
“Today we finished the work handed to us by President Mahinda Rajapaksa to liberate the country from the LTTE ,” Gen Fonseka said in the broadcast.
“This battle has reached its bitter end,” LTTE’s new spokesperson and one of Interpol’s most wanted men- Selvarasa Pathmanathan alias KP said in an e-mail to the Associated Press, accepting the Tiger defeat.
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