Tigers refuse to let SLMM inspect bombing damage in Wanni
May 13th, 2006
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have refused permission to the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission to inspect the areas in the Northern mainland Wanni that were affected by the aerial bombardment on May 11th.
Two Israeli built K- fir jet bombers inflicted much of the damage on the 11th. More than 25 bombs were dropped in two sorties that began at 5. 40 pm and 6. 25 pm respectively.
The bombing was done in areas south of Kilinochchi, north of Mankulam and west of Mullaitheevu.
The bombs fell mainly in the Iranaimadhu and Udaiyarkattu regions. They also fell in the jungle areas in the Murigandi and Kokavil areas.
The Government claims that only the LTTE aviation facility in the Wanni was targetted. It also claims that the air strip in Iranaimadhu has sustained damage.
It is reprted that Udaiyarkattu has large cantonments housing tiger cadres.
This is said to be the reason for the LTTE refusing to let the SLMM inspect affected Wanni areas.
This is in contrast to the LTTE stance on the Muthur East bombings of April 25th where the tigers cooperated fully with the SLMM when inspecting damage.
The LTTE continues to be tight – lipped about the damage or non – damage to its installations or personnel. Daya master has said two civilians were seriously injured in the attack.
Meanwhile the “Sunday Times” has reported that the Wanni bombing was a “Lion response ” (Sinha niyawa) and not a “Dog response” (Balu niyawa ” by the Government.
It has also said that efforts by the military top brass to order a second aerial strike to teach the LTTE a lesson was turned down by President Mahinda Rajapakse because of Vesak.
The relevant extracts from the political column are given below
” Soon after fighting erupted the Operations Room at Navy Headquarters became a hive of activity. It was not only in terms of directing counter measures against the attackers but also other responses. Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapaksa was on hand. So was Presidential Secretary Lalith Weeratunga and Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera. They were discussing, among other matters, about a response. It was in Sinhala. Should it be “Balu Niyawa” or “Sinha Niyawa.”
In other words, the question was whether to respond like a dog or a lion. If a stone was hurled at a dog, it would run in the opposite direction. But if it was done to a lion, it would run in the direction from which the stone was hurled. They were unanimous that the reaction should be one like a lion. Air Force was ordered to carry out air attacks on selected Tiger guerrilla targets — for the first time in the four-year-long ceasefire. While helicopter gunships went to engage the Sea Tiger boats in battle, Kfir jets bombed the LTTE airstrip near Iranamadu.
That night armed forces top brass and senior defence officials met President Rajapaksa at Temple Trees. They were unanimous in their view that there should be a limited attack on Friday to send a message to the LTTE. That was to make them know they cannot get away by staging violent attacks on the armed forces. The answer was a firm “no” from President Rajapaksa. He said on Vesak day there should be no such offensive action. However, he said if any attacks were carried out by Tiger guerrillas, the armed forces were free to defend and even hit back. ” - D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Realted:
- World pressure makes Colombo stop bombing and shelling
- Tensions rise as Muthur East gets shelling again
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Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
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