Troops encircle city from three directions:
Kilinochchi fall imminent
Rafik JALALDEEN
COLOMBO: The fall of Kilinochchi, the LTTE’s strategic bastion in the
Wanni and its core administrative capital is imminent as troops had
established positions in the outskirts of Kilinochchi district, Defence
Affairs spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.
Briefing the media yesterday at the MCNS on the security situation,
Minister Rambukwella said the Security Forces were successfully
launching its humanitarian operation to liberate Kilinochchi.
“Our troops are marching forward to liberate Kilinochchi and are
poised to capture it despite heavy LTTE resistance,” he said.
Minister Rambukewella speaking on the troop advance to Kilinochchi,
said a fierce battle was on and the Security Forces were moving from the
south, southwest and west of Kilinochchi.
“Security Forces are marching forward inflicting heavy casualties
among Tiger cadres despite bad weather,” he added.
He observed that capturing the 81km A-32 Mannar-Pooneryn route will
provide a vital passage for troops and civilian movement.
The Government has already taken steps to reconstruct the A-32 road.
“The Government had allocated Rs. 5 million to reconstruct the A-32
road and troops are engaged in clearing LTTE landmines and booby traps,”
he added.
Minister Rambukwella said opening the Mannar-Pooneryn A-32 route
would be a milestone connecting people from the Wanni to the North and
it will facilitate development programmes in the area.
“The opening of the A-32 is geographically significant and will be
important to both civilians and the Security Forces,” he pointed out.
“Essential supplies which were sent by sea to the North can be
transported using the A-32 route. Sending essential food supplies and
other material through ship to Jaffna is costly. With the opening of the
A-32 we can use the route to transport essential supplies to Jaffna and
this will cut down sea transport costs and the people in the North can
purchase essential items at a low price,” the Minister said. Rambukwella
said whatever military action taken, its benefits always accrued to the
civilians living in conflict areas. |