Mawilaru sluice gates opened [Wednesday, August 09, 2006- 7.30 GMT]

The Mawilaru sluice gates were opened last evening. Major Rajapaksa of the Centre for National Security said the Forces were given a military mission to facilitate providing water to the farmers which they achieved successfully yesterday.

He said water was flowing smoothly and that today it was six feet high at Kalar.

The free flow of water from the Mavil Aru anicut was stopped on July 20, 2006 by the LTTE, depriving life-sustaining water to over 15,000 families and damaging over 30,000 of paddy land. “This inhuman act by the Tigers was a threat not only to their livelihoods but also to their very survival”, states the National Security Centre website.

[Full text of the release]

The sluice gates of the Mavil Aru anicut were opened today at (08.00 p.m.)  accomplishing the noble objective of the humanitarian mission which lasted for 19 days.

The free flow of water from the Mavil Aru anicut was stopped on 20 July 2006 by the Tiger terrorists, depriving life-sustaining water to over 15,000 families and damaging over 30,000 of paddy land. This inhuman act by the Tiger terrorists was a threat not only to their livelihoods but also to their very survival.

Since no responsible government can turn a blind eye to such an inhuman atrocity, after resorting all possible peaceful means a limited military action was launched to open the sluice gates. Meanwhile as a diversionary tactic, terrorists tried to overrun the Muttur town, killing civilians and destroying property, forcing them to flee for safety.
 
The Security Forces was able to drive away the terrorists and take full control of the town.

The Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) joins the nation in saluting the heroic soldiers, sailors, airmen and the Policemen who paid the supreme sacrifice and to those who were wounded and had to undergo untold hardships in the fierce confrontation with the terrorists who were preventing them from reaching the anicut to open the sluice gates.

Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim farmers will now use precious water to cultivate their paddy land again and lead a harmonious life in a peaceful environment, thanks to the heroic humanitarian mission.

The MCNS takes this opportunity to convey its appreciation for local & international media, and other organizations for their cooperation.

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Last Updated Date: August 9, 2006 -7.30 GMT