People hail mass rescue

Chaminda Perera and Rasika Somarathna

People of all walks of life yesterday lauded the Security Forces for rescuing over 35,000 civilians who were held hostage for months by the LTTE despite numerous appeals made by the Government and the Iinternational Community to release them.

Ven. Elle Gunawansa Thera who firmly believed that terrorism can be defeated at a time when the then UNF Government was pandering to the LTTE yesterday lauded President Mahinda Rajapaksa , Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Service Commanders for confining the LTTE terrorists to a narrow stretch of land which was also dedicated for the civilians.

"The Thera said the Forces have succeeded in evacuating more than 35,000 civilians yesterday. This shows that the Tamil people have rejected the LTTE, he added.

The Thera said Sri Lanka's mission against the terrorists has earned commendation from all peace loving masses and countries.

"The LTTE has devastated the country's economy, development and the future of their fellow citizens. The Government and the Security Forces deserve the full honour for eradicating the terrorism , the Thera said.

The Tamil people who faced a number of obstacles and hardships can breath a sigh of relief soon, the thera said.

The Manel Mal Movement yesterday said the security forces have succeeded in protecting the dignity of their forefathers by eradicating terrorism. It said the Security Forces following the footsteps of their forefathers have protected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the motherland.

Manel Mal Movement's senior member Dr. Wasantha Bandara said the Government declared a 48 hour cession of hostilities to make way for the LTTE to release civilians. "The LTTE's reluctance to release the civilians within this period clearly shows that LTTE is not caring for the people.

Dr. Bandara said the government has showed the international community that Sri Lanka will not bow down to the demands or any type of intimidation by foreign powers when it comes to a question of national security and sovereignty.

He said that the record of the Government's mission against the terrorists will be written in gold in the annals of Sri Lanka history. "No country in the world will ever tolerate armed groups keeping its citizens hostage.

Dr. Jayatissa De Costa - Leading Constitutional Lawyer, lecturer on Law, Member of the Board of Management for Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International Relations & Strategic Studies, said that the influx of civilians from the 'safe zone' has clearly demonstrated to all that they had been kept forcibly by the LTTE against their will.

Their eagerness to seek refuge with authorities is a clear indication of their frustration and the hardships they underwent under Tiger tyranny. They were forcibly driven from one place to another for a long time. Thus now it is the responsibility of authorities to make their lives as comfortable as possible, and put in place a mechanism which would enable them to lead a normal life without fear or discrimination.

Attorney at Law Chandana Liyanapatabendi said the people have faced tremendous hardships and obstacles under the LTTE and their arrival to the government's controlled area would bring them a new lease of life.

"These civilians who were trapped by the terrorists for months can now mingle with their friends relatives freely.

The LTTE terrorists placed heavy weapons among the civilians settlement in the No Fire zone and started targeting the forces.

The terrorists took all possible efforts to prevent the civilians from leaving the NFZ.

He said hundreds of civilians who were attempting to flee the uncleared area were killed by terrorists.

The people in defiance of LTTE dictates have arrived in the Government controlled areas.