Troops clearing Thoppigala for resettlement

Rafik Jalaldeen

THOPPIGALA: The Security Forces which regained full control of the Thoppigala are presently engaged in clearing operations to pave the way for civilian resettlement, the Military Spokesman said.

A major and historic victory had been gained by the Security Forces on Wednesday by liberating Thoppigala, the last bastion of the Tigers in the Eastern theatre of conflict. "The East is completely under control of the Security Forces", Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said.

The Brigadier said troops are conducting search operations to clear the area of land mines and booby traps planted by the fleeing Tigers. "Our main aim is to resettle the civilians once the areas are cleared of the land mines and booby traps.

But it is a long term process," he added.