Plan to resettle 14,000 in newly liberated areas

Uditha Kumarasinghe and Rajmi Manatunga

COLOMBO: With the great victory achieved by the Armed Forces, the Government intends to channel water to Vakarai through Thoppigala, facilitating the resettlement of nearly 14,000 families within the liberated areas, it was disclosed yesterday.

Nation Building Minister Susantha Punchinilame said the Government has already commenced a series of development activities in the Eastern Province.

The Government has allocated Rs.1016 million to develop the inner and outer circle road network in Trincomalee. Rs.78 million has been set apart to construct the Trincomalee Divisional Secretariat building while Rs.102 million has been allocated to construct a vegetable market complex.

In addition, Rs.74 million has been allocated to build the Trincomalee bus stand and another Rs.80 million for a new shopping complex.

The Government has also allocated Rs.778 million to develop the irrigation network in Trincomalee. The Government through this endeavour intends to cultivate 19,595 hectares of lands.

In addition, Rs. 12 million has been reserved to develop Akkaraipattu and Sammanthurai towns. The Government has already provided electricity up to Eechalampattu.

After many years, the Government has released the Eastern Province from the LTTE terrorists. “The Eastern province was captured by our Armed Forces making a lot of sacrifices.

After this great victory, some political leaders who have continuously been defeated in so many elections are making various statements to underestimate the victory achieved by our Armed Forces.”

“What the UNP should do is to consider the welfare of the families of war heroes who sacrificed their lives in the Thoppigala operation by using the money they spend for various publicity campaigns. As a UNP Parliamentarian, I apologise to the three Armed Forces on these statements made by UNP leaders,” the Minister said.

The Minister said nearly 20 to 25 solders sacrificed their lives in the Thoppigala military operation. Nearly 200 to 300 LTTE caders were killed.

“The UNP’s statements raise a serious question, if they form a Government, whether they will underestimate our Armed Forces. We are well aware about various difficulties and acts of harassment faced by our Armed Forces during the period of the CFA. The UNP should go these places and get first hand information before they make such statements.”

Media Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardene said UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe is making various statements to condemn the Thoppigala operation.

Thoppigala has not been released in any military operation conducted earlier.

In 1992, a military operation was conducted to capture Thoppigala. But it failed to capture Thoppigala. He said: “Wickremesinghe has asked the Government whether we captured Thoppigala to collect firewood. Once Thoppigala was released from the LTTE, the Government has commenced a movement to win the hearts of the people.”

Most of the LTTE suicide cadres were sent to Colombo from the Eastern Province. This situation has been completely changed due to the capture of Thoppigala by the Armed Forces, he added.