Sri Lankan troops on alert

By V.S. Sambandan

COLOMBO, MAY. 6. Sri Lanka's rapidly evolving politico-military dynamics today witnessed a toning down of the sweeping powers given to policemen recently, while on the battle front Government troopers were preparing themselves for possible LTTE attacks in three crucial sectors of the northern Peninsula.

``All troops are in a state of maximum alert and readiness to thwart any LTTE attack,'' a Government situation report said. While ``no confrontations'' were reported from the battle-zone on Friday, the LTTE ``continued to launch artillery and mortar attacks on the defences in Nagerkovil and the area to the north of Pallai.'' Long-range artillery engagements continued in the Tanankilappu and Ariyalai sectors.

The political handling of the northern military developments saw a scaling down of the wide-ranging powers invoked under the Public Security Ordinance, with the President, Ms. Chandrika Kumaratunga, rescinding ``with immediate effect'' the sweeping provisions to the police on the disposal of dead bodies. The Ordinance originally empowered policemen to take possession of and the burial and cremation of any dead body.

The provision rescinded today had brought back sordid memories of excesses during the earlier southern insurrections staged by the Left-radical Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), when those suspected to belong to the JVP were hunted down, resulting in largescale disappearances and killings.

The LTTE's Nagerkoil Eastern thrust along the arm of the peninsula could be the most devastating as an advance towards the Northern Point Pedro would bring both the Palali air base and the northern waters within the range of Tiger firepower.

The thrust could take a relatively longer period than a possible Kilali-Chavikachchery advance. At present a few kilometres from bringing Palali under artillery range the Tigers have apparently hit a `breath-before-pounce' mode in an aggression which has been marked by short breathers punctuating successive pounces which have marked the military terrain of northern Sri Lanka since last November's Vanni reverses.

Runovers of army camps have been marked by short pauses before the next offensive. In this context, the relative lull as reported for the past four days is seen by military observers here as a pause before the next strike. With the Tigers in a position to choose any of the two sectors _ Kilali and Nagerkoil _ to launch the next pounce, the army is gearing up on all fronts.

With independent access for journalists to the battle front being banned and with no telecommunication links with the Northern Jaffna peninsula, no direct information is available on troop morale.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Front Page
Previous : PM calls all-party meet on Sri Lanka
Next     : Troops brace for LTTE attack