Kilinochchi bombed as fighting escalates in North-Eastern Waters
May 11th, 2006
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj
Preliminary reports indicate serious escalation of fighting in North – Eastern Sri Lanka on May 11th 2006. While the de – jure ceasefire remains valid still on paper events on ground show that a de – facto undeclared war is on.
At least ten vessels of the sea tiger unit were engaged in marine exercises off Sampur in the Muthur division of Trincomalee around 1. 30 pm when some navy ships and gun boats appeared. The navy was warned by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) to keep off. An official of the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission was on board in one of the navy ships.
The navy had said the LTTE was violating ceasefire provisions by letting sea tiger boats engage in training sessions at sea. The SLMM is said to have endorsed this position by saying the LTTE has no rights at sea.The navy wanted the tiger boats to go back ashore.
The tigers had refused to accept the Navy warning and a stand – off at sea had ensued. The LTTE boats had surrounded the navy vessels it is learnt. Additional ships were sent by the navy. Unconfirmed reports said that the navy had fired at LTTE ships as a “warning.”.
With the LTTE resisting fighting had erupted. A Navy Dvora boat sustained heavy damage. The navy camp at Vattam in the Kattaiparichan area was also damaged. Both the LTTE and SL Navy were engaged in shelling from either side of Kottiar bay.
The navy also commenced shelling of the Kadatkaraichenai, Iraalkuli and Sampoor coasts. Preparations were also underfoot to launch a “land” invasion of LTTE controlled areas in Muthur division.
Meanwhile a Sri Lanka naval convoy sailing near the Vadamaratchy Eastern coast was attacked by the LTTE at about 3. 30 pm. With a large contingent of security personnel moved to Nagar Kovil over the week – end while a 16 hour curfew was in force the tigers suspected an assault on Vettilaikerny – Kaddaikkaadu.
One Israeli built Dvora with more than fifteen sailors on board was sink in the sea tiger attack.
A second sea skirmish began at about 4. 30 pm off the Point Pedro coast. A Naval troop – tanker capable of ferrying 500 personnel and the naval convoy giving protection were surrounded at sea by the LTTE. About 350 Navy men were on board. A SLMM monitor was also reportedly aboard.
At least two Dvora gunboats built at the Colombo dockyard were destroyed in the attack. reports said that the troop – tanker ship was encircled by sea tiger gun boats.
With the navy suffering reversals in the North – Eastern seas the Government of Sri Lanka began bombing the LTTE controlled areas of the North.
Two Israeli built K – firs and one Ukrainian Mig 27dropped at least three bombs each between 5. 40 to 5.55 pm in Kilinochchi. Reports said that urban areas of Kilinochchi were not bombed.
Rural areas near the Iranaimadhu tank were bombed. It appeared that the Air Force was targetting the LTTE air base constructed in the Iranaimadhu area. Reports said that one bomb had fallen inside the Iranaimadhu reservoir. Bombs had also fallen in the Murigandy jungle area.
By all accounts it appeared that virtual war had begun though the ceasefire remains valid on paper.
Related:
- SLMM Chief on urgent trip to meet LTTE in Kilinochchi
- Sri Lankan Air Force bombards Tiger territory
transCurrents feedback : editor@transcurrents.com
Contact DBS Jeyaraj : djeyaraj2005@yahoo.com
Entry Filed under: News, transCurrents
