Navy camps for Silavathura, Mullikulam

Ranil Wijayapala

Silavathura: As the ground troops are consolidating their positions in Silavathura, Arippu and Kondachchi, the Navy is planning to establish two Navy camps in Silavathura and Mullikulam to provide security for the fishing community.

Navy Spokesman Commander D.K.P. Dassanayaka said the two Navy detachments will be established tomorrow. "Fishermen south of Mannar underwent immense hardships at the hands of the LTTE as they used the innocent fishermen to smuggle goods to LTTE held areas," Commander Dassanayaka added.

The passes issued for the fishermen were misused by LTTEers disguised as fishermen to launch attacks on the Navy,

The establishment of Navy camps is also expected to minimise threats on Colombo specially the Colombo Port as the Navy can block Tiger movements along the Western coast with the monitoring of LTTE sea movements following the installation of radars.

"The establishment of Navy camps in Mullikulam and Silavathura will help provide much needed security for oil exploration in the Gulf of Mannar region," he added.

The establishment of two Navy camps will also help block the smuggling of arms and ammunition by the LTTE across the Gulf of Mannar region, Commander Dassanayaka said.