Thoppigala -the new symbol of national pride

If the year 2004 was bad for Velupillai Prabhakaran then the year 2005 was worse. The first crack in the seemingly indivisible monolith of the LTTE appeared in April 2004 when Karuna, his most able commander, broke away asserting his own regional rights in the east.

There were other factors like personal rivalries as well that made them lock horns. But the underlying factor of regional differences between the northern and eastern Tamils surfaced once again to divide the Tamil separatists.

To create the political fiction of a pan-Tamil movement, stretching like a single unbroken thread from Mannar in the western coast to Kumana in the eastern coast, the eastern Tamils were recruited hastily and opportunistically in the 50s and 60s by the vellahla leadership of Jaffna with offers of some senior positions in the federalist/separatist party.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2007/09/23/fea02.asp

AFP DISTORTS: IT'S THE COMMANDO FLAG, NOT THE TIGER FLAG

On 16th July 2007 the AFP on its website news report has made a serious distortion in its caption given to the photograph, appearing with the news of the capture of Thoppigala.

The caption, in question, mentioned that the troops are holding the LTTE Flag, along with the National Flag. Whereas the troops are proudly hoisting the National Flag and the Sri Lanka army Commando Regiment Flag, (not the LTTE Flag.)

This is a clear case deliberate distortion of facts, done with a view to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka Army and to belittle the significance of the capture of Thoppigala, which is the culmination of the humanitarian mission of the liberation of the Eastern Province from the clutches of Tiger terrorism.

Photo and news extracted from,
http://www.nationalsecurity.lk/fullnews.php?id=6637

Sri Lanka plans national celebration to honour soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province

The national felicitation ceremony to pay tribute to the soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province from the LTTE will be held on Thursday (July 19) at the Freedom Square in Colombo under the patronage of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Minister of Public Administration and Home Affairs Karu Jayasuriya said at a press conference held today to announce the celebrations that this was the first time in the three decade war that the entire Eastern Province was liberated. He further said that the President would reveal plans to develop the Eastern Province in his address to the nation.

The Minister appealed to the public to hoist a national flag at each household to salute the heroic soldiers who liberated the Eastern Province.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_07/July16125416SL.html

Laxman Kiriella loses his cool and insults a lady reporter

United National Party’s Laxman Kiriella who lost his cool at a party press conference insultingly told a lady reporter of the Colombo press that by holding a piece of paper and a pen one could not become a journalist.

He became seemingly upset when the young reporter of the fair sex asked him a question about his leader’s contentious statement on the Army victory at Thoppigala that has created a hornet’s nest even among his own party supporters.

Kiriella , a lawyer like his own leader quite average even in his own field , started patronizingly giving a lecture to the reporter on good journalism. He has had no formal training in journalism....

....The former UNP Minister Kiriella, who has not studied journalism or practiced it at any time in a recognizable way advised the reporter that she must know the acreage of Thoppigala jungle, the number of trees there (as if he knows), the number of square kilometers etc. before asking questions about his leader‘s unpatriotic and inborn hatred of his people. Needless to say people undoubtedly were amazed by these new Kiriella theories of journalism.

Read more,
http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6528

President Pays Tribute to the Valiant Forces

His Excellency the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces Mahinda Rajapaksa today (11) paid tribute to the all members of the SL Security forces who liberated Thoppigala area from the terror clutches.

Statement by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the capture of Thoppigala, the LTTE's last stronghold in the East:

"I join the people in offering tribute and all good wishes to the members of the Armed Forces, Police and Special Task Force who, through their participation in the humanitarian exercise to free the people of the East from the clutches of terrorism, captured the last stronghold of the terrorists located at Thoppigala.

I remember with honour all heroes of war and members of the families of those who sacrificed their lives or were wounded in this exercise carried out on behalf of the country and nation.

May you be Blessed by the Triple Gem!

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070711_06

Ranil Belittles Security Force's victory in Thoppigala

In the midst of roaring laughter of his supporters the Leader of the Opposition and the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe belittled the government's claim of a great military victory at Thoppigala and said it was nothing big to crow about.

"What's all this fuss about Thoppigala. It's nothing to crow about," he told a public gathering in Galle. The meeting was broadcast by the Independent Television Network run by the state with other interviews condemning his statement.

But in a different interview Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) military spokesman Rasiah Ilantheriyan admitted that the LTTE has received a defeat.

Ilantheriyan in an interview with Roland Burke of the BBC when asked whether the LTTE has received a defeat said that , "In a way yes. From a point of view it is a defeat." since the government forces have gained a greater control of the Eastern Province.

Ranil Wickremesinghe in contrast said Thoppigala is only a big jungle bigger than the Colombo District. He asked "how many times we captured that area."

Read more,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070712_01

LTTE looses Baron's cap; Troops reach Thoppigala

Commandos and soldiers of the SL Army have reached the Baron's Cap (Thoppigala) few hours ago, said Defence sources in the East. With this victory, troops have captured the "nerve centre" of the LTTE terrorists' in their last stronghold in the Eastern province.

Meanwhile, the troops have also gained the full control over Narakamula, and Tharavikulama areas where, the LTTE leadership had its' Eastern headquarters and other fortifications.

The victorious soldiers are presently clearing enemy "pockets" scattered in the dense jungle and are pursuing the LTTE cadres who are on the run.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20070711_03