Sunday Column - SLA makes steady progress to free hostages

Beginning of the end

The fate of LTTE as a military force has been sealed i.e., it has no fate. The SLA has been commended both locally and internationally for militarily finishing off what the FBI branded as "The World's most ruthless terrorist outfit ". Al - Qaeda launched suicide attacks on the New York Twin Towers that killed over 3,000 people, for the FBI to rank the LTTE above their public enemy number 1 means something, it means more as the SLA has finished off the LTTE while the NATO coalition forces are still fighting Al - Qaeda in Afghanistan. The Sri Lankan public over the years were apathetic to SLA offensives to liberate the Wanni, Jayasikuru being the prime example - life went on as normal in the South while the SLA were marching up the A9. The public were convinced that the LTTE were invincible as any SLA victories were soon reversed. What lacked then was the political will to back the military - major offensives were routinely halted whenever the SLA sufferred setbacks, "tactical withdrawls" and "readjustments on the FDLs" were the norms. Such was the extent of the withdrawls and readjustments that the SLA gave up Pooneryn, EPS and Mullaitivu complexes to the orders of the political leaders. The political leaders didn't have the backbone to back the military as they were afraid of loosing the voters who were insisting that the Army stop offensives to save lives. Presumably, the public had only heard of wars where there are no casualties. The sight of ambulances and buses carrying the dead and wounded on Dambulla road was enough to convince them that the war should stop as the LTTE were indomitable.

That was then, this is now - the political and military landscape has dramatically changed FOR THE BETTER. We have a President who fully backs the military, an Army Commander who is steadfast, and a public fully behind the President and the military in wiping off terror ONCE AND FOR ALL. The President does not pander to the international community either, he backs the military push knowing full well that it will upset the donor buddies and white uncles. He even challenged the UN to exert pressure on the LTTE to stop offensives rather than asking the government to implement a longer ceasefire, the UN and the international community is lost on the fact that the LTTE has used previous ceasefires to re-group, re-arm and launch even more attacks. It also does not occur to them that it is the LTTE that is prolonging the conflict by holding civilians and not the SLA. We applaud the military and the political establishment in seeing through the strategy to wipe out terror.

Fresh offensives under way

The SLA started fresh offensives to free civilian hostages 48 hours ago. The 53rd, TF8 and 58th have launched a three pronged attack on the A35 Paranthan - Mullaitivu main road, 53rd and TF8 are nearing the bridge at Vellaimullaivaikkal, 58th is facing stiff resistance on their front. We are seeing heavy casualties as the LTTE has a small area to defend and fire is concentrated. Tiger FDLs are heavily booby trapped and mined and most of the injuries are due to AP mines. 55th are holding their positions just north of Palamattalan and conducting limited 8 man team operations, snipers are also taking out targets. The Navy is on full alert over Tiger leaders trying to flee, night time sea tiger escape missions have been effectively foiled by the Navy's SBS and RABS squadrons. The SLAF is providing CAS and surveillance assistance to the SLA, the aerial pictures and videos are proving invaluable as the SLAF and SLA are able to strike at identified targets. Surveillance is much easier now as the Tiger territory has shrunk to 17 sq kms. The MOD has stopped giving publicity to SLAF missions, reasons for which are undisclosed. Only a limited amount of battlefield news is reaching us as the current missions are extra secretive.

EFT