Military strength in Jaffna district reduced

Bhakthi Mendis and Suraj Bandara

The strength of the military presence in the Jaffna district has been reduced by 35,000 during the past five years, Sri Lanka Army Spokesman Brigadier Ruwan Wanigasuriya said. “The military is gradually reducing its presence in Jaffna as the situation in Jaffna is peaceful. The military has been re- deployed to other places in the country, according to the requirements,” he said.

“In 2007, there were 50.000 military personnel in the Jaffna peninsula which was further reduced up to 20.000 in 2010. But now the presence of military personnel in Jaffna is 15.000,” he said.

“The reductions were carried out according to the military requirements and the Army is capable of deploying military for any requirement anywhere in the country, “he said.