Huge Naval blockade around NE

by Ananth PALAKIDNAR

The biggest ever Naval blockade has been thrown along the Northern and Eastern coastal areas, placing the Naval installations countrywide on red alert to trap the LTTE top rungers fleeing the island and also from thwarting any assistance they might receive through the seas, Navy spokesman Captain D.K.P. Dassanaike said.

Commenting on the Naval blockade Capt. Dassanaike told the Sunday Observer that following the fall of Kilinochchi, the Naval vigilance that had existed along the coastal belts of the North and the East has been now converted into a mega blockade with deployment of more ships and men to prevent the LTTE cadres fleeing for their safety.

“The barricade consists of around twenty five Naval vessels including off shore patrol craft and fast gun boats supported by Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Squadron which could be described as the biggest blockade created so far in the Naval history of the island,” Captain Dassanaike pointed out.

He also added that coastal region from Mullaitivu to Chundikulam which had remained vulnerable for the Naval vessels and cargo vessels has now been cleared of sea Tiger menace with the destruction of several of their vessels. “The LTTE cadres have removed the big guns which were fitted on their boats and now using them against the army advancing on the ground.

The Sea Tiger cadres have also been made to fight against the troops currently operating in Wanni. However the days of the LTTE cadres in the ground as well as the seas are numbered, with the Armed Forces steadily making inroads into their territories,” he said.