Week-long felicitation to mark victories

COLOMBO: The Government has announced a week-long felicitation (Ranaviru Week) from today to mark the victories of the Security Forces, who captured Pooneryn, the last major Naval bastion of the Tigers in the North after nearly 15 years.

“Our soldiers have captured the strategically important Pooneryn in the North from the LTTE after several years and registered a major victory. We expect to honour our Security Forces and declare this week felicitate the victories of our heroic soldiers against terrorism,” Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

Sirisena said the Government planned to hold several events for the seven days in light of the latest military victory.

“Everyone should celebrate this victory in their work places and organisations by hoisting the national flag on Monday to strengthen our Security Forces and encourage them to win more battles in the future,” Sirisena said.

Addressing a media briefing at the Parliamentary Complex, the Minister said the Government was announcing the Ranaviru Week to honour the gallant soldiers for their achievements in Pooneryn.

He said the liberation of the other terrorist dominated areas would be completed soon and they wished the troops success in achieving these victories.

The Defence Ministry said troops backed by artillery bombardment, captured Pooneryn on Saturday.

“Task Force-1 troops having liberated Pooneryn are now engaged in mop-up operations in Pooneryn. Troops are now clearing their way towards Kalmunai Point (K-Point) along the 20 km long narrow land stretch where the LTTE terrorists used to station their artillery and mortar batteries,” the Defence Ministry said. Army Chief Lt.

Gen. Sarath Fonseka, commenting on the latest military victory, said the whole stretch of A-32 road from Mannar to Pooneryn has been liberated and his troops have now opened a land route to the northern Jaffna peninsula with the capture of Pooneryn bastion from the LTTE.

“We have eliminated a large number of terrorists during this battle. The remaining terrorists are now running for their lives across the Kilali lagoon,” the Defence Ministry quoted the army chief as saying.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in a televised address to the nation on Saturday morning announced the capture of Pooneryn and urged the Tiger leadership “to lay down their weapons and come for talks”.