Army on trail of LTTE attackers - Commander

by Ranil Wijayapala

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka following his visit to Jaffna in the wake of the recent claymore mine attack on Army personnel in Puloli West, has strengthened manpower and transport requirements to facilitate clearing operations to round up those responsible for the violent acts in the peninsula.

Lt. General Fonseka told the Daily News that the Army has already taken precautionary steps to prevent further occurrence of such incidents in the peninsula.

"We are going behind the people responsible for the claymore mine attacks and other violent incidents," the Army Commander said.

"We have taken steps to provide manpower requirements and transport facilities for them," General Fonseka added. He said it was impossible for him to say the number of LTTE cadres responsible for the violent acts in Government controlled areas in the peninsula since the LTTE had been given unlimited access to Government controlled areas.

However, he ruled out possibilities of discussions with LTTE area leaders in Jaffna to settle the situation. "It is upto the politicians to have discussions with the LTTE. The military has decided not to have talks with the LTTE," he added.

The Army Commander said the LTTE was operating in the peninsula under the guise of civilian organisations. "They all are LTTE organisations. There are no civilian organisation as they are claiming," he added.

Lt. General Fonseka met all field Commanders in Jaffna peninsula during his visit to Jaffna on Wednesday after the LTTE claymore mine attack on an army truck killed 12 soldiers.