Media Minister hails Forces’ triumph

By Uditha Kumarasinghe, Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Information and Media Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa yesterday said the humanitarian operation launched against the LTTE terrorists has reached to a more significant juncture with the re-capture of Pooneryn by the heroic Armed Forces.

The Forces was able to achieve this great victory due to the proper leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and tactful management skills of Defence Secretary, Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, the Minister said.

Minister Yapa making a special statement to the media on the victory achieved by the Armed Forces said “The Armed Forces were acting based on their own schedule. They don’t have any political schedule. At present the Forces have engaged in their humanitarian operation with a sense of dedication. No doubt, the Government has also gained sort of a political victory. That nobody can prevent it,” he said.

The Minister said the Opposition right along, kept criticising the Defence Secretary by undermining his moves to eradicate terrorism. Certain elements did issue various statements which were biased towards the LTTE terrorists. There are certain LTTE friendly elements who cannot ‘stomach’ military victories achieved by our Armed Forces. But the people have clearly understood the true nature of terrorism.At present the Government has gained the backing of several countries to help defeat the terrorism. Therefore the entire nation should extend their support towards the humanitarian operation launched by the Forces to re-capture Kilinochchi, the Minister added.“The re-capture of Pooneryn will open the land route to Jaffna peninsula after 20 year. This will provide the opportunity to send all the essential food commodities to Jaffna through this route. Earlier the terrorists had used Pooneryn area to attack our Forces by using heavy weapons.

“At present they have been trapped in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi areas.

Our war heroes through this humanitarian operation have opened a new chapter in our country’s history.

This is a clear indication that the objective of the President to create a New Sri Lanka is not so far.”

The Minister said the entire nation should be happy and express their tribute to the heroic Forces for this great victory.