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Earlier this year it was the LTTE who were on the offensive, now it us, and we are in a very strong position, said Security Forces Commander [Jaffna] Major General Anton Wijendra on Wednesday addressing the press at the Military headquarters in Palaly on the progress of Operation Rivikirina 1 launched on Sep 3 and Operation Kiniheera 1 launched last Sunday to free Chavakachcheri. Admitting that the first phase of the two - pronged offensive, Rivikirana mounted on September 3 did not progress as planned and had to be aborted, Wijendra said that the second phase succeeded in pushing the LTTE out of Colombuthurai just a week later. He also explained the strategy of Operation Rivikirina 1 and 2, launched on the Eastern and Western Front, from the Sarasalai area said that two thrusts were made from the Jaffna town area and from the Sarasalai area. "As the operations progressed, it was evident that the terrorists were doing everything possible to prevent us from gaining even an inch of ground," he said adding that that Tigers were attacked about 10,000 mortars in their attempt to halt the Army from advancing further. The Jaffna Commander also said that LTTE’s mortars and artillery do not threaten Palaly air-base and Kankesanthurai harbour, the two Main Supply Routes [MSR] for the security forces and the civilian population. The two bases were subjected to heavy mortar and artillery bombardment in weeks that followed the fall of the strategic Elephant Pass base. The security forces were forced to suspend operations at these bases and looked for alternative ways and means of bringing in supplies to the troops, at that time fighting with their backs to the wall. However, the recent military operations carried out in the Colombuthurai and Chavakachcheri, appeared to have put the air field and the harbour out of effective enemy mortar and artillery range. Operations at these bases have returned to normal. Further, the General said that the Rivikirana operations have given security to the Jaffna town. He said that the Tigers have been pushed out of the Jaffna suburbs and ruled out any speculation about the ongoing military action been politically motivated. He stressed that the high intensity operations underway in the peninsula had nothing to do with the October 10 general election. However, replying a question, the Major General pointed out that weakening the LTTE ahead of the election would help with regard to the conduct of the election. The second operation was launched exactly a week after the first where troops swiftly seized heavily fortified LTTE positions including those near the Colombuthurai jetty following devastating artillery and aerial strikes. "The people of Chavakachcheri are in the process of coming back to their homes which they had abandoned earlier. We will not allow the land we had captured to be recaptured," General Wijendra said adding that the m8ilitary will not let the Tigers intimidate civilians living in military controlled areas. The journalists were also taken to Colombuthurai jetty where troops of the Sinha Regiment hold the front line.
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