Thoppigala open to public in July

Yasaratne GAMAGE in Batticaloa

Thoppigala will be opened to the public as a tourist destination by the end of July this year, Security Forces Eastern Commander

Major General Lal Perera said yesterday. He said the historic and scenic rocky attraction in the Batticaloa district will be an educational, sightseeing, heritage and monumental sight for local and foreign visitors.

"The place will be a monument of friendship among all Sri Lankans," Major General Perera told electronic and print media personnel on a familiarisation tour in Eastern Province.

Thoppigala is a geographically and demographically important area, once occupied by the LTTE. The government recaptured Thoppigala in 2007 and started renovations and reconstruction.

The Army has made the area safe for the public after mine and battle field clearances. The place will be important for visitors as it consists a heritage site, study centre, humanitarian operation centre and a monument centre.

The heritage site will exhibit the traditional past life of the native inhabitants of the area who lived in peace regardless of race or religion on either side of Thoppigala mountain. Tourists will also have the opportunity to see the history of the Adivasis, both Sinhala and Tamil. They will also be able to experience an eco- friendly traditional travel on a bullock cart.

The study centre will cater to the needs of students and researchers who want to study flora and fauna of the area.

The humanitarian operation centre will show how the government led the humanitarian operation to restore peace and harmony in the island.

War heroes who sacrificed their lives and limbs will be remembered at the monument centre.

Speaking on the government's reconciliation, development and humanitarian assistance and post conflict normality restoration effort, Major General Perera said the process which consisted of two segments has concluded its first phase.

Demining, battle area clearance, resettlement of IDPs, recovery of arms and ammunition cache and also recollection of arms and ammunition issued to villagers have been mostly completed in the East, he said.

"The government has implemented infrastructure development in the area," Major General Perera said.

He said housing, irrigation, electricity, reservoirs and roads have been the key targets in the development process.