Muhamalai, Nagarkovil not part of peninsula: Army Spokesman

Sri Lanka Army Media Director V.U.B Nanayakkara, USP has sent the following response to an article which appeared in The Sunday Times under the headline “Life in Jaffna: The seen and the unseen, the told and the untold”

“Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Security Forces Commander in Jaffna, contrary to what has been said in the article, stated in the referred press briefing that there are approximately 1000-1500 Tiger terrorists operating ahead of their own Forward Defence Line in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil - not within the peninsula - as stated in The Sunday Times report.

“Similarly, the Jaffna Commander commenting on the operational activities taking place ahead of their own Forward Defence Lines in Muhamalai and Nagarkovil categorically stated that approximately 10-15 Tiger terrorists are killed daily as a result of limited operations carried out by troops in those areas.

“On the contrary, the writer has stated about 10-15 Tiger terrorists are killed on a daily basis in the region; meaning the Jaffna peninsula where normality prevails, as the report itself stated.

“This is totally misleading and factually incorrect. In other words, the report, while trying to state there prevails normalcy in the Government controlled area, also gives the wrong impression at the same time, in a subtle manner, that there does not exist normalcy in the region.

“Likewise, efforts taken by this headquarters in Jaffna to provide maximum security to the visiting team of journalists have also been belittled and conveniently forgotten in this report. It is relevant to note here that these journalists were taken to specified areas close to Muhamalai and Nagarkovil where sporadic LTTE artillery attacks are taking place.

“It is also pertinent to state here that such security measures were taken for the best interest of the visiting journalists and not for any other purpose as indicated in this writer’s report.”

OUR REPORTER SAYS: The Brigadier has lost sight of the fact that Muhamalai and Nagarkovil areas are within the Jaffna peninsula. Instead, he has said that the two areas are not within. That is a misrepresentation of geographical facts. They do not change.

Major General Chandrasiri did say during the news conference that 1000 to 1,500 Tiger guerrillas are still within the peninsula. He also said that 10 – 15 are killed per day. The Sunday Times reported Major Gen Chandrasiri’s comments. It quoted him saying that normalcy has returned to the region.

Therefore the claim by the Brigadier that the report tries to give a wrong impression and that normalcy does not exist is not correct. That is clear to even the most dumb witted though the Military Spokesman is unable to comprehend.

Contrary to claims made by Brigadier Nanayakkara, mention had not been made about the security provided to the team of journalists during their visit to Jaffna from April 5 to 7.

The Sunday Times reported about the security provided to journalists during this conducted tour arranged by the Media Centre for National Security. Here again, unfortunately, Brig. Nanayakkara has been unable to comprehend the facts.