Military Operations Will Continue says Sri Lankan Army

Artillery Fire Continues, Air strikes, ground offensive will not stop : Sri Lankan Army

Aug 10, 2006 (New Delhi)

The Sri Lankan Military spokesman Brig. Atula Jayawardane has told the writer from Colombo that the Sri Lankan army will continue its operations in spite of Tamil tiger rebels lifting their water blockade in the restive eastern district of Trincomalee.

"Our operations will continue for as long as it takes to make sure that the water flow from the anicut ( mini-dam) is sustainable. We will secure the anicut and hand it over to our civilian engineers." Jayawardane said.

Jayawardane said that both sides have continued pounding each others positions with artillery shells since the water was released last evening.

" We have continued to consolidate our positions in the no man's land around Mavil Aru. Rebel artillery guns have continued to fire at civilian positions and at our bases in the area. We are retaliating in a scientific way, ensuring that our shells target only known and positively identified rebel guns" he said.

He said the air force too will continue its operations. " if we positively identify a rebel gun we will use air power to netralise them to save civilian lives."

He said between 15000 to 20000 people have been displaced in and around the conflict area since the start of the security forces operation to open the sluice gates of the Mavil Aru mini-dam. This is much lesser than the 70,000 quoted by the rebels.

The displaced include Tamils, Muslims and Sinhalese. Many of the internally displaced have sought refuge in Sinhala villages.