Security Forces open Mavil Aru sluice gates
COLOMBO: The sluice gates of the Mavil Aru anicut were opened
at 8.00 last night accomplishing the noble objectives of the
humanitarian mission which lasted for 19 days, the Media Centre for
National Security, Ministry of Defence and Pubic Security said.
The free flow of water from the Mavil Aru anicut was stopped on July
20 by the LTTE terrorists, depriving life sustaining water to over
15,000 families and damaging over 30,000 paddy lands. This inhuman act
by the LTTE terrorists was a threat not only to their livelihood but
also to their very survival.Since no responsible government can turn a
blind eye to such an inhuman atrocity, after resorting to all possible
peaceful means, a limited military action was launched to open the
sluice gates, the media release stated.
Meanwhile, as diversionary tactic, terrorists tried to overrun the
Muttur town killing civilians and destroying property, forcing them to
flee for safety. The Security Forces were able to drive away the
terrorists and take full control of the town.
The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) joins the Nation in
saluting the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and policemen who paid the
supreme sacrifice and to those who were wounded and had undergo untold
hardships in the fierce confrontation with the terrorists who were
preventing them from reaching the anicut to open the sluice gates.
Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim farmers will now use the precious water to
cultivate their paddy lands again and lead a harmonious life in a
peaceful environment thanks to the heroic humanitarian mission.
The MCNS takes this opportunity to convey its appreciation for local
and international media and other organisations for their cooperation,
the media release said. |