2ND LEAD

SLA intensifies deployment in Northern Front, curfew imposed

[TamilNet, Sunday, 29 October 2006, 05:59 GMT]
Amid reports of deployment of additional troops and military hardware in Northern Front, Sri Lanka Army, from Palaly military base, Sunday morning announced curfew in villages near Northern Front Forward Defence Line (FDLs). Meanwhile, Sri Lankan troopers engaged in a major training exercise throughout Saturday night in Palaly, Thondamanarau lagoon and Valalai area in Vadamaradchy sector of the Jaffna district. The SLA rehearsal comes following a sudden visit by Sri Lanka Army commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka to Palaly Saturday as Parties, the GoSL and LTTE delegations were engaged in talks in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lt. Gen. Sarath Foseka held a meeting with Maj. General G.A. Chandrasiri, Commander of the Sri Lankan forces in Jaffna, followed by a meeting with the commanders of Divisions 51, 52, 53 and 55 Saturday, military sources in Jaffna said.

Despite the denial of curfew announcement in Colombo, Yarl FM, a local radio operated by the Sri Lankan military from Palaly military base in Jaffna, continued to broadcast the announcement.

The curfew was imposed in villages Varani, Usan, Kachchai, Navatkadu, Eluthumaduval, Kodikamam, Meesalai East, Allarai and Thanangilappu in Thenmaradchi sector of Jaffna district.

Civilian sources in Thenmaradchi also reported exchange of artillery and mortar fire in Northern Front.

Telephone lines to Kilinochchi were also cut off Sunday morning.

Chronology: