Hunt for LTTEers in Moneragala

Hiran H.Senewiratne

Security has been intensified in the Moneragala district to capture two hardcore LTTE terrorists, Ram and Nagulan along with several other cadres who are believed to be roaming in Moneragala SSP Moneragala Division Amarasiri Senaratne said.

He said currently there is no LTTE threat in the Moneragala district. Several incidents in the district, happened on April 12 and 13 creating the fear psychosis in the area. "We have blocked all supply routes in the entire Moneragala area that supply food and other requirements to the LTTE group," he said.

SSP Senaratne said they are now covering 40 villages with a population of 40,000 in the district bordering the Ampara district with the assistance from a Army Detachment along with the Civil Defence Force to maintain security.

"We have deployed our forces and intensified security in the area to capture them. They are constantly patrolling the area to capture the remaining LTTE cadres in the East and the Moneragala district," he said.

Security sources said Ram led the Eastern Part of the country during the hight of the LTTE a few years ago and is believed that he and his deputy Nagulan are roaming in the area without surrendering to security forces, he said.

Two STF camps have been set up in Kotiyagala in the district and operating jointly with the Police and the Civil Defence Force covering the Yala National Park boundary to capture these wanted LTTE hardcore terrorists, he said.

He said intelligence reports have revealed that Ram and his team has gone to the East.

Sources said the new LTTE Head, Kumaran Pathmanathan is having contacts with Ram and the group. With these operations and high intensified security situation illegal cannabis plantation and sales have reduced by 50 percent and expected to eradicate cannabis menace from the district in the future. During the recent past Police have made several raids in Tanamalvila area, SSP Senaratne said.