Limited operation to free Mavil Aru and Virugal Aru

Rashomi Silva

COLOMBO: The Government said yesterday troops will carry out a limited strategic operation to free Mavil Aru and Virugal Aru, the two main water tanks that provide water to farmers of Seruwila area in the Eastern province.

"This is not an action of war," said the Government's Defence spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella at a special press briefing in Colombo.

"This will be a carefully planned venture, we do not want unnecessary destruction."

Questioned about the supportive forces in the operation, the Minister said troops will be given air support, if necessary.

"There are over 15,000 families in the area whose livelihood depends on the waters of the tanks. Our task is to provide water to these people who will in every probability be destitute if they do not get water for the season's cultivation," said Rambukwella who is also the Minister for Plan Implementation.

Minister Rambukwella said all their efforts to resolve the 'water crisis' through negotiated means has failed, adding that water was a fundamental right of the population.

During all the international wars fought in the last century, no warring party has used water as a weapon to attack the opponents but said the LTTE was trying to use the water issue as a negotiatory tactic and forward all kinds of demands.

"This is a crime against humanity. It goes beyond all accepted norms of justice," he said, adding that the International community, the facilitator Norway and the Sri Lankan Monitoring Mission (SLMM) members are also sharing the Government's concern.

He stressed that the Government has no intention of taking the victory over the LTTE in the water issue.

He said: "There are no winners or losers, in this. If the LTTE decides to open the anicut tomorrow and provide water they will be the winners.

The LTTE cut off the water supply to over 30,000 acres of paddy lands in Kuttiaranpattu in Seruwila by shutting off the sluice gates of the tank which feeds large tracts of farmland. The LTTE has also barred irrigation engineers from entering the area to open the sluice gates.