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| Sunday, 14 December 2003 |
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Major Gen. Fonseka recounts his experiences in the North Jaffna people long for peaceful co-existence by Anton Nonis Former Jaffna Security Forces Commander, Maj. Gen. Sarath Fonseka, praised the Jaffna civilians for their co-operation towards the implementation of the ceasefire and maintenance of law and order. "Whatever hardships they had to undergo, the people of Jaffna were looking forward to leading a peaceful life with people in other parts of the country," commander Fonseka said. Maj. Gen. Fonseka, who was involved in various important military operations in Jaffna, served as the Northern Security Forces Commander for the past one-and-half-years. It was during his tenure of service that the MoU between the Government and the LTTE was signed which led to the ceasefire now in operation. Commander Fonseka played a key role in implementing the ceasefire agreement in the Jaffna peninsula, which contributed largely to maintain law and order in the region. He has now been appointed as the Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, with effect from December 9. Recounting his experiences in Jaffna, he told the `Sunday Observer', that there had been a rapid decrease in the killings and other types of violence in the North. The lifestyle of the civilians in the North has improved to a great extent with the revival of agricultural pursuits, schooling, transportation and other cultural activities which were stalled due to the war. But whenever the civilians were faced with any problem, they were reluctant to make complaints due to fear of LTTE. The people of Jaffna struggled to lead a peaceful life and did not want any interference from the LTTE, Commander Fonseka said. Commenting on the security personnel in the North, he said, they were doing their best to maintain the ceasefire as well as law and order in the peninsula. "Despite several provocations, the defence forces had acted very patiently and maintained a good rapport with the general public," he said. Commander Fonseka said that though the LTTE had denied any recruitment of children to their cadres, according to intelligence reports children were being secretly conscripted to the LTTE. Taxes imposed on the general public and extortions practised by the LTTE, were acts which could not be condoned and it was time to stop them, he said. |
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