Forces will proceed - Army Commander

Shanika Sriyananda

Soldiers will now proceed from Prabhakaran’s Kilinochchi ‘head quarters’ to capture his hide outs and offices in Mullaitivu”, the Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka said.

He said the ‘military journey’ was not a cake walk and the correct leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa as the Commander-in-Chief and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa combined with the dedication of the top military officers and soldiers in the battle front was the cause of the victory.

Kilinochchi was captured due to the bravery of the soldiers who trekked through the rain of mortars and artillery. Their blood and sweat have brought us this victory”. Lt. Gen. Fonseka asserted.

According to the Army Chief, over 50,000 soldiers attached to 100 battalions were now aiming their guns at Vishwamadu, Dharmapuram, Puthukudiyiruppu and Mullaitivu.

“ For the first time in history Prabhakaran has fallen into our artillery range”, he said adding that the total land area of LTTE dominance was now less than 800 square kilometres and its fighting capability reduced to less than 2,000 cadres. “ The size of land that is left for Prabhakaran to hide is smaller than Thoppigala”, he disclosed.

The troops of divisions -57 and 59 and Task Force 1, 2, 3, and 4 are now advancing towards Mullaitivu, he claimed. Lt. Gen. Fonseka said the Military had enough troops to end the three decade long battle and would continue to attack the LTTE in the same trend. “ We have already captured a part of Mullaithivu and the troops are already heading towards other areas of Mullaitivu from all directions. The LTTE will only have the ocean in the future”, he said.

This battle hardened soldier, Lt. Gen. Fonseka, who led the many military victories in recent times, said the troops of the 59 division was a few kilometres away from Mullaitivu town and just 2 kilometres away from Elephant Pass.

“ The military pressure from Jaffna will increase and there would not be any jungles remaining for the LTTE as the Special Forces and the Commandos have already gained control of the Mullaithivu jungles”, he added.

He said the troops have captured the towns as well as the jungles and the entire jungle terrain was under the control of the military.

Meanwhile, the Army Chief urged the LTTE cadres, including its leaders in Mullaitivu to surrender to the Army to save their lives. He assured the safety of cadres who surrender early.