The opening of the vital A-9 highway following the capture of the strategic Elephant Pass area by the security forces for the first time in 23 years will bring much relief to the people of the north, according to the military spokesman.
The road is expected to be opened for civilian movement within the next three months, spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said. At present air and sea routes are used for the transport of people and goods.The re-opening of the A9 will bring down the prices of essential items in the Jaffna peninsula and revive trade between the north and the south, government officials said.
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| The old sign board announcing visitors that they are entering Elephant Pass |
The recapture of Elephant Pass, the gateway to Jaffna, on Friday dealt another crushing blow to the LTTE which took control of the area in 2000 in what was then regarded as one of the worst setbacks for the Sri Lanka army. Some 1,600 soldiers died in that debacle.
Minister and defence spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said on Friday that the re-capture of Elephant Pass was a tribute to all the men who laid down their lives defending the camp over the years.
It was the ground troops from the 53 and 55 Divisions led by Brigadiers Kamal Gunaratne and Prasanna Silva and supported by Air Force cover who on Friday stormed Elephant Pass amidst stiff resistance from the LTTE.
During the most part of the 25-year-old conflict, the A9 highway was largely controlled by the LTTE which imposed taxes on those using the route, thus curtailing trade and communication between the Jaffna peninsula and the rest of the country.
The A9 was of great importance during all these years as it was the only available land route from the south to Jaffna after the LTTE destroyed the railway route.
Military analysts pointed out that the re-capture of Elephant Pass and the total control of the A9 highway were a serious blow to the fighting capabilities of the LTTE which is now cornered and confined to a small area further east of Kilinochchi.
The victory of the security forces had dealt a severe blow to the LTTE internationally, especially among the Tamil Diaspora who were forced to provide financial and other support to what the rebels claimed was their final battle, they said.
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| A military tank engaged in a mopping up operation in the newly-liberated Elephant Pass area. |
In 2000, Some 1,600 soldiers died while trying to defend the sprawling military garrison at Elephant Pass from a major LTTE offensive. The garrison was seized by the LTTE which occupied it until security forces on Friday recaptured it.
Meanwhile firecrackers exploded throughout the south as President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the re-capture of Elephant Pass by the security forces in a special address to the nation. He said it was the duty of everyone to pay tribute to the troops who sacrificed their lives towards this end.
“We are now engaged in giving new life to the unitary status of our country. We are enlivening democracy in our land. The defeat of terrorism means giving life to an honourable peace and freedom.
“We are dedicated to give our children the opportunity to travel freely from Devundara to any part of the country and for all our people, whether Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, Malay or any other community to live together in unity,” the President said.
He also warned of a conspiracy backed by certain international forces to belittle these victories and divert the attention of the people in other directions.
“The conspirators are aiming to destroy the morale of our troops, destabilize the country and make room for various international forces to interfere and grab our gains from us,” the President said.
Colonel Nalinda: A 2009 hero
The funeral of Colonel Nalinda Kumarasinghe, the senior most officer to sacrifice his life for the country in the ongoing Wanni operations, will be held with full military honours today at the Balapitiya General Cemetery.
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| Colonel Nalinda Kumarasinghe |
Colonel Kumarasinghe succumbed to injuries sustained in an explosion caused by cluster bombs at Pulopallai, hours before the 53rd and 55th Divisions completed their capture of Elephant Pass on Friday, said Major Marsk Mallawaarachchi, for the Sri Lanka Army’s Director Media.
Kumarasinghe Hettiarachchilage Ajith Nalinda Kumarasinghe was born in Ratnapura on July 20, 1967. He completed his education at the Ratnapura Seevali Central College, and joined the Sri Lanka Army on July 20, 1987. He was attached to the 5th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch (5GW) as a platoon commander. He received further military training in Bangladesh and Pakistan. He was made a Lieutenant Colonel in 2007, and was posthumously promoted to the rank of colonel. At the time of his death, Colonel Kumarasinghe was commanding the 5th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch under the Air Mobile Brigade, Jaffna.
Colonel Kumarasinghe was also one of the commanding officers put in charge of the first contingent of Gemunu Watch soldiers sent overseas on a UN peace-keeping mission to Haiti.
Colonel Kumarasinghe was involved in a number of anti-LTTE military operations, including Balawegaya I, Balawegaya II, Riviresa, Hideout, Thrividha Balaya, Akunu Pahara, Gajasinghe and Bhumikampa.
Medals received for valour shown on the battlefield included the Rana Wickrema Padakkama, the Rana Sura Padakkama, and the Purna Bhumi Padakkama. He was also decorated for his work in North and East operations, the Riviresa campaign, the 50th Independence anniversary commemorations and peace-keeping operations.
Colonel Kumarasinghe leaves behind a wife, Nilmi Kumarasinghe, and a 10-year-old son, Nadil Nethkal Kumarasinghe.
REACTIONS TO VICTORY IN ELEPHANT PASS
Maithripala Sirisena, General Secretary, SLFP
With the fall of Elephant Pass the LTTE today is trapped in a small area, and the day of final victory is not far off. While our military is winning accolades locally and internationally for its valiant efforts, there are attempts to undermine this success by creating a scenario to discredit the government. The burning of the MTV premises and the killing of the editor of The Sunday Leader are two such instances, and we strongly condemn both acts. There is no one in the government who is so stupid and low as to resort to such actions.
Wimal Weerawansa, NFF leader
The government troops’ recent victories have been achieved in an honourable manner. Attempts are being made by certain people to belittle these victories. Some parties that have exhausted all their slogans are acting in a way that will help the Tigers, who are now on their last legs.
Champika Ranawaka – Jathika Hela Urumaya
The LTTE overran Elephant Pass when it was under the control of government troops in an operation they called “Unceasing Waves”. Now the unceasing waves of our armed forces have started, and the LTTE is now trapped in Mullaithivu. It won’t be long before the entire North is liberated by the troops.
Vinyagamoorthy Muralitharan -
Tamil Makkal Viduthali Puligal
The opening of the A 9 is a vital achievement by our forces. There can now be free movement of people and goods across the Pass. I think Mullaithivu will also fall soon.
A. L. M. Athaulla -All Ceylon Muslim Congress
The LTTE has called itself a liberation army, but they have given no liberation to the Tamil people. With the fall of Elephant Pass, people will now be free to travel about, and the high cost of living in the peninsula will fall. The LTTE gave the Muslims living in Jaffna 24 hours to leave, but all their property is there, and these should be restored to the Muslims.
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