Security boost for Trincomalee

TRINCOMALEE: The defence authorities will draw up plans to ensure the security of Trincomalee especially Trincomalee South, it emerged yesterday.

This decision was taken following a full-day inspection tour of Trincomalee by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera and Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka yesterday.

The Defence Secretary and top military duo toured the Sampur and Mavilaru areas where Security Forces and Police are now consolidating positions after recapturing those areas from the LTTE, the Media Centre for National Security said.

Their special attention was drawn to contingency plans to ensure the security of Trincomalee South where the LTTE terrorists used to pound mortars and artillery on the harbour which provides an alternative base to transport food, essential items, troops and civilians to the North via sea due to constant LTTE attacks on the A-9 Road.

They delegation also witnessed how the Army Engineer troops were clearing the affected Sampur and Mavilaru areas of mines facilitating civilians moving back to their homes.

General Officer Commanding 22 Division Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe briefed the Defence Secretary of the security situation in the Trincomalee area and measures taken to ensure security of the civilians, important places and military installations in Trincomalee.

Commander Security Forces - East, Major General Nissanka Wijesinghe and Senior Officers of Armed Forces and Police joined the Defence Secretary, CDS and Army Commander in the visit.