Tigers in large numbers surrender to HRC in Jaffna

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

COLOMBO: LTTE cadres in large numbers have begun surrendering to the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna as they are fast losing faith among the Tamil community, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday.

“Forty-two Tiger cadres have already surrendered to the Human Rights Commission in Jaffna within the last two weeks,” Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

He said the LTTE is fast losing its credibility and there is a rapid decrease in the number of youth joining the LTTE.

Brigadier Nanayakkara said there was a significant change in the LTTE strategy as they launched claymore attacks targeting the Security Forces without any concern about civilian lives.

“The LTTE is trying to distance the public from the Security Forces through these attacks,” the Brigadier added.

The LTTE during the past two weeks launched five claymore attacks targeting Security Forces and the Police without any concern about civilians.

He said the Security Forces have foiled attempts by the LTTE to infiltrate FDLs in Mannar, Vavuniya, Welioya, Kilali, Muhamalai and Nagar Kovil during the past two weeks creating heavy damages to the LTTE.

The Brigadier said the Air Force too carried out successful air-raids effectively destroying Tiger installations in Pooneryn South, Puthukuduiruppu and Vishvamadu.

“The LTTE itself had admitted to the damages caused to them in these air attacks,” the Brigadier added.