Fifth anniversary of liberating LTTE's dream capital:

Losing Kilinochchi a major debacle for LTTE

It was on January 2, 2009 that the Sri Lankan troops captured the terrorist key town Kilinochchi. It was one of the turning points in the war against terrorism hitting hard at the LTTE leader Prabakaran.

This time of the year in 2009 the Kilinochchi soil was soaked in blood and the air was filled with painful mourns of the wounded soldiers.

Broken damaged, abandoned houses without roofs, blasted water tanks, buildings with explosives trapped, overgrown home gardens all gave a ghostly feeling to these towns and villages.

Kilinochchi, the LTTE headquarters was a ghostly town when the Sri Lanka Army troops of the 57 Division marched in January 2009 under the command of Major General Jagath Dias. When the 58 Division commanded by Major General Shavendra Silva captured Paranthan as 2009 dawned, it was almost a no man's land.

Transformation

Today, there is a total transformation. Amidst the numerous allegations and obstructions, this island nation walked far away from the iron fist of terrorism clearing a path to bring the country to a better position economically, socially and culturally.

All the success was carried on the shoulders of the valiant soldiers and admirably they still have not put down their duties to rest.

Fierce battles erupted in December in the outskirts of Kilinochchi and Paranthan amidst floods that played havoc in the battlefront. Capturing Akkarayankulam in mid October 2008, a large village located to the southwest of Kilinochchi could be considered as an opening path cleared by the 57 division.

Kilinochchi soon after liberation

Kilinochchi Central College library

Kilinochchi Central College as it is now...

The capture of this village enabled the troops to attack Kilinochchi from the southwest. The Iranamadu junction, located to the south of Kilinochchi was also captured later, that made it possible for the troops to advance towards Kilinochchi from the south.

Troops from the 57 Division earlier captured several LTTE strongholds such as Adampan and Kokavil.

The capture of Kilinochchi would have been the greatest blow to the LTTE which was categorised as the most ruthless terror outfit in the world without any iota of doubt.

Operations

More than a strategic location Kilinochchi was important to the Tigers in terms of military operations. It was of a symbolic importance because it was the de facto capital of Tamil Eelam, the separate state that the LTTE is fighting for.

The town of Kilinochchi was important for the LTTE because it was the showcase of the organisation. According to government claims, all civil administrative affairs were handled by government authorities despite the LTTE being in control of the town.Today Kilinochchi shows no signs of a war. Just the monument that stands in the middle of the town to remind that freedom came over lives of hundreds of valiant men who fought selflessly.

Following the capture of Kilinochchi, the LTTE pushed the escaping civilians more towards the eastern coast. This silenced the artillery attack to the other side of the Jaffna lagoon from Paranthan.

The capture of Kilinochchi made victory clear and was a crucial move that dealt a double whammy.

Kilinochchi capture gave strength to the Government to stand up and tell the world that the war against terrorism launched under the directives of President Mahinda Rajapaksa was on right track.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, announced the capture of Kilinochchi at the Presidential Secretariat on the eve of January 2 and called for the LTTE to lay down arms and surrender, saying that this would be the "final message" to the LTTE. In his speech, he said "What our heroic troops have achieved is not only the capture of the great fortress of the LTTE, but also a major victory in the world's battle against terrorism."

- DY