LTTE in utter disarray in Wanni

Liberation of south of Mannar, key to victory in Wanni:

The capture of the entire south of Mannar, including Silavathura, Arippu, Kondachchi and Mullikulam has left the LTTE in a more desperate situation despite some critics try to play down the victory of the Security Forces, on the basis of the casualty figures in the battle.

Success of a battle cannot be measured on the basis of a casualty figures. If anyone tries to measure the successes of a battle on the number of deaths and casualty rate that may be a mentality of an organisation fighting to eliminate an ethnic group or a community from the Sri Lankan soil.

The task before the Sri Lankan Security Forces is not to eliminate the Tamil community from the Sri Lankan soil but to eliminate terrorism that has been deeply rooted in the North East, with the objective of liberating the Tamil community from the clutches of terrorism.

 

In the process of achieving this task the number of deaths and the square kilometres captured during military operations are immaterial to them.

What is most relevant and important for them is to neutralize the capabilities of the terror outfit to pose a threat to the Sri Lankan state and the general public.

That was the main task before the Sri Lankan Government in its fight to eliminate terrorism from the Sri Lankan soils.

That was what Sri Lankan Security Forces and the Police were doing for more than one year commencing July last year.

The operations conducted by the Security Forces and the Police in the East was not merely to take control over the land but to remove and neutralise the LTTE capabilities to engage in terror activities harassing civilian population, without allowing them to enjoy their democratic rights.

In that process the Security Forces had to take control over the land in the East entirely, to establish the civil administration to maintain law and order.

Misconceptions

If someone thinks the Security Forces should only concentrate on Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, the two strongholds from which the LTTE controlling its entire network, he must be sadly mistaken. The reason is obvious, because the LTTE has deeply rooted in other parts of the country too.

Even in Colombo, the Tigers had big say, but they no longer have that say in Colombo now due to the measures taken by the defence authorities to break their cells and their networks amidst huge criticism levelled against them of violating the Human Rights of Tamils.

If not for these measures, today, Colombo would have been one of the most dangerous places to live in. But the threat is still there due to the unpredictable nature of the LTTE.

Therefore, vigilance of Security Forces, Police and also of the general public has become a vital factor at present, if Security Forces are heading towards capturing the remainder of the Wanni from the clutches of the LTTE.

The Security Forces, therefore, had engaged in a systematic operation to neutralize LTTE threats step by step and reach the strongholds securing other parts of the country from the Tiger grip and neutralising their military capabilities.

Liberation of south of Mannar

Therefore, the liberation of South of Mannar was a giant step that would definitely put the Security Forces on a strong position against the LTTE in future battles, as this achievement contribute to minimise the threat posed by the LTTE to Colombo.

The ground troops were able to complete the mission in the south of Mannar within three days as they faced no resistance from the Tiger outfit. Though some critics describe this as a cake walk, the Security Forces were able to have that walk due to the military strategy adopted to liberate the area.

The LTTE had no other option but to flee from the area amidst surprise advancing of the troops into the territory from three directions cutting off all their movements.

The Tiger outfit also had enough man power in the area to face the Security Forces. They also did not have any chance to get reinforcement from the north of Mannar due to rough seas.

Even from the South, especially from the Wilpattu National Park area, the LTTE could not get any support as Commando and Special Forces troops had already cut off their movements within the National Park by screening the area few weeks back.

Therefore, the Tiger cadres faced a hapless position by the time of the Security Forces advanced towards Silavathura and Arippu, and had fled the area mingling with the fishing boats.

Commanding structure

Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka along with Wanni Security Forces Commander Major General Jagath Jayasuriya commanded the troops engaged in the Silavathura operation.

Troops from the 9 Gemunu Watch, 8 Sinha Regiment and 10 Gajaba Regiment took part in the operation under command of Special Forces Brigade Commander, Colonel Nirmal Dharmaratna.

The leading role was played by the Special Forces by moving into the area, days ahead of the launch of the operation.

Surprise was maintained at its maximum as each unit was not aware of other troops involved in the operation with commands coming from the top, the Army Commander. Logistic support and the accommodation of civilians were done by the Area Headquarters in Mannar.

The Sri Lanka Air Force assisted in airlifting the troops of the 8 Sinha Regiment to the east of Silavathura from Wanni Security Forces Headquarters.

Establishment of Navy camps

It was not merely a capture of land. The Sri Lanka Navy has come forward to establish new camps in Mullikulam and Silavathura to guarantee a secure life for the civilians living in the area.

Measures will speedily taken to resettle about 3,000 civilians who had to flee from this area with the launch of this military operation, with troops withdrawing from the area with the completion of their search and clear operations.

Therefore, the establishment of two Navy camps will definitely help the civilians to engage in fishing, without fears about LTTE harassment.

Apart from this the Navy will also be able to monitor the Sea Tiger movement in the western seas well in advance to thwart any attempt to launch any attack on Colombo harbour or any Naval patrol craft.

The fate of the LTTE

With the fall of south of Mannar the first territory to lose in Wanni district after the humiliating defeat in the East, the LTTE leadership has been shaken.

As we highlighted in this column previously the LTTE leadership is under huge pressure as their image is shattered in the eyes of the Tamil community.

With the recent developments, the only option available for the LTTE to blow up their image is to launch a major assault on the Security Forces defences in the Wanni or in the Jaffna peninsula.

Such offensive in the Jaffna peninsula has become an extremely difficult task for the LTTE as Army has stationed a number of reserve Divisions in the Jaffna peninsula to be deployed in an event of a major assault on the Muhamalai, Killali and Nagerkovil defences.

Therefore, the LTTE even does not think of an offensive operation as they did in August 11, 2006 capturing the first line of the Muhamalai FDL in a surprise attack on the Security Forces.

Though not prepared to face Security Forces who fought back and went ahead of the LTTE defences in the Jaffna peninsula.

Therefore, the only option available with the LTTE is to defend their territory in the Wanni deploying their full force to prevent Security Forces advance into the Wanni.

Security Forces' strategy to secure Wanni

With the experience the Security Forces had in Jaffna peninsula, defence authorities decided to strengthen the security along the Forward Defence Line in Vavuniya to prevent Tiger infiltration into Government controlled areas especially in the West of Omanthai and Vavuniya.

Abductions, child recruitment and the attacks on the Security Forces personnel in the west of Vavuniya along the Vavuniya - Mannar MSR were also contributing factor for the Security Forces Headquarters Wanni to form 57 Division of the Sri Lanka Army in Kalmadu with the appointment of Brigadier Jagath Dias as the General officer Commanding.

One of the major tasks before the 57 Division was to ease the threat on the Jaffna peninsula by drawing the attention of the LTTE towards Wanni and to secure the civilian population in the West of Vavuniya from Tiger harassments by neutralising the Tiger military capabilities in the area.

Apart from the 57 Division the Sri Lanka Army also has formed Task Force -1 to increase the security in Vavuniya.

Heavy casualty rate

With the formation of the 57 Division the LTTE too strengthened their positions in the west of Vavuniya and made several attempts to infiltrate Security Forcers defences after infiltrating to Government controlled areas. From January this year there had been a number of confrontations with the LTTE on a daily basis causing heavy damages to the LTTE.

As Security Forces too move ahead of the FDLs to neutralise Tiger threats, they have been able to kill large number of Tiger cadres tried to infiltrate Security Forces FDLs. The number of LTTE cadres killed in these confrontations now exceeds 1300.

The Security Forces too have suffered heavy casualties in these confrontation since there is stiff resistance from the LTTE side. On the side of the Security Forces 110 soldiers have sacrificed their lives while over 700 sustained injuries.

However over 50 per cent soldiers sustained injuries during these confrontations have returned to their duties recovering from the injuries. Many battles have erupted in Thampanai and Periyathampanai area in the west of Vavuniya and east of Madhu due to strong LTTE presence in the area, as they are well aware of the fact that loss of Thampanai and Periyathampanai will lead to further defeats in Madhu.

But this is not an unexpected casualty rate as the theatre is entirely different from the eastern battlefront. Even in earlier battles the Security Forces and also the LTTE experienced heavy casualty rate in their attempt to take control over the territory as they have to confront each other in an open land unlike in the East.

But Security Forces are adopting new tactics to minimize the casualty rate among the troops engaged in these operations deviating from earlier strategies of moving along the main routes.

LTTE strategies

So the LTTE too has now taken strategic measures moving one of their 122 mm artillery gun close to Madhu Church with multiple objectives in their minds. One thing is their gun is safe as they are very well aware that Security Forces will not direct fire at the gun as it is located within Madhu Church area as the area is already declared no war zone.

The gun crew are also safe due to the place where it has been located.

The LTTE also can take the advantage if Security Forces retaliate the artillery fire from this direction as such situation can be used by the LTTE to launch campaign against the Forces using politicians, religious dignitaries and the civilians .

To stop the advancement of troops LTTE had laid thick layers of AP mines. Therefore, troops have to clear heavy mine fields on their silent advancement towards the strongholds in Wanni.

Therefore, troops are now operating in this territory keeping the terrorist tactics in their mind as any hasty movement would lead them to a disadvantageous situation expected by the LTTE.

Shortage of manpower

Though the Tiger leadership was in desperate need to secure their defences in the West of Vavuniya they are running short of cadres with many of their cadres killed at the hand of the Security Forces.

Bhanu, Lakshman, Velavan, Appan, Vannakilai Master, Ilangesh, Kailveli and Vidusha commanding the Tiger cadres operating in the area are facing severe difficulties these days as they do not get enough recruits to man these defences.

The situation had compelled the LTTE deploy their political cadres and medical cadres to guard the defences.

Owing to this situation a highly indiscipline background has been created within the LTTE as they are not in a position to take disciplinary action against those who challenge the leadership openly in fear that they would flee from the organisation.

This has led to a situation in which LTTE not showing any interest towards casualty evacuation and to collect weapons of the killed Tiger cadres.

High morale of Security Forces

The victories secured by the Security Forces on daily basis the morale of the Security Forces is now in higher level engage in the mission to protect the civilian population in Wanni from Tiger threats.

They are now receiving tremendous support from the villagers in Iranairuppukulam, Kalmadu, Kidacholai, Ichchankulam, Sundarapura, Manipuram, Thandikulam, Karuveppankulam, Koombuhar, Nelunkulam, Marukkarampalai and Poovarasakulam adjoining the 57 Division.

The proper command structure and welfare measures available to them have created favourable conditions for them to fight against LTTE terrorism.

Security Forces, through the observation of Tiger movements and through the interception of Tiger communication believes that the Tiger cadres are exhausted from due to the prevailing situation and their morale is low at this point. Therefore, the fall of remaining parts in the Wanni has become inevitable due to the forwards march of the Security Forces.