Major victory for the Forces
The destruction by the Navy of three LTTE arms vessels
couldn’t have come at a more opportune time when the Security
Forces have achieved a number of major victories on the ground.
This is no small setback to the Tigers who have now lost nine
out of it’s 10 vessels, to quote Navy Commander Wasantha
Karannagoda.
The Navy’s recent spectacular success in intercepting LTTE
vessels has no doubt had a debilitating affect on the outfit and
dealt a severe blow to its fighting capability. Monday’s foray
in the high seas has certainly exposed the vulnerability of the
LTTE against a determined Sri Lankan Navy, which has demolished
the myth of Tiger invincibility.
It is also a feather in the cap of the Navy which had now
proved to be the lynch pin in the battle against the enemy by
virtue of paralysing the LTTE’s fighting capability at the
source by engaging arms vessels and cutting off supplies to the
outfit.
The significance of last Monday’s achievement could be gauged
by the fact that among the floating armoury destroyed were parts
of three lightwing aircraft.
This is a major feat that may have prevented a major disaster
in the offing. The Navy has also been chiefly instrumental in
the prevention of attacks on the Colombo Port by its constant
patrolling of the waters and also numerous detections in the
recent past.
Its men have performed admirable feats of Valour in
confronting the enemy face to face in many a high sea battle.
One would dread to think of fate of some 700 holiday bound
Security Force personal whose vessel Pearl Cruiser was nearly
attacked by LTTE Sea Tigers if not for the intervention of the
Navy thus preventing a major catastrophe on Vesak day last year.
One could not overemphasise the role played by the Navy
during the two three decades old conflict and it is but
paramount that it be provided all the necessary wherewithal to
continue with its gallant feats. Steps should be taken to accord
due recognition to this most vital cog of the country’s military
machine.
The media can be of help in giving the Navy a higher profile
and also by trying to highlight its successes on a regular
basis. The country can now be proud of having a Navy which is
playing the role of a real combatant alongside the Army and the
Air Force.
The regaining of the East serves as a tribute to the valour
of these true sons of the soil who fought and overcame a
faceless enemy. There is not enough gratitude that the nation
could pay these valiant men and women without whose presence
those elsewhere in the country would not be able to enjoy those
cricket matches, musical shows and TV razzle dazzle.
The least we could do is to appreciate their role and
cooperate in their efforts to keep the City free of terrorist
attacks so that we could enjoy our everyday life. |