Withdrawal of SLA forces from Jaffna peninsula to be reconsidered

[TamilNet, Monday, 03 May 2010, 05:00 GMT]
The earlier decision taken by Jaffna Sri Lanka Army (SLA) Commander Major Gen. Mahintha Kathursinghe to withdraw SLA forces in stages is to be reconsidered as per request of newly appointed Defence Secretary, Gothabaya Rajapakse, the brother of President Mahintha Rajapakse, Mahintha Kathurusinghe told the editors of Jaffna dailies in a meeting Sunday night at Gnanams Hotel SLA base. The decision is to be reconsidered due to the current deterioration of law and order in Jaffna peninsula which the Defence Secretary explored into with the key officials of SLA and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) at Palaali SLA Head Quarters Saturday, the Major General told the editors. He further alleged that armed men of Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), a constituent of ruling United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA), were involved in the social crimes in Jaffna peninsula in the meeting with the editors.

Defence Secretary Gothabaya Rajapakse is on a three day visit to Jaffna after assuming duties as the new Defence Secretary.

The increasing number of crimes in Jaffna peninsula including abduction and killing for ransom, robberies, sexual abuse and extortion alleged to be carried out by the armed wing of EPDP with the assistance of police was discussed in the Palaali military base meeting.

Mahintha Kathurusinghe told the local press that under no circumstances will SLA allow any armed persons to function in the peninsula.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Police in Chaavakachcheari Sunday arrested the EPDP coordinator of Thenmaraadchi zone, Alexander Soosaimuththu alias Charles, for allegedly threatening Chavakachcheari Magistrate K. Prabakaran for having issued arrest warrant on EPDP suspects involved in the abduction and murder of student Kapilnath.

Mr. Charles would be brought to the courts on Monday, according to Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, who met local press at Gnanam Hotel Sunday night.

The commander blamed the EPDP for blighting Rajapakse government, media sources in Jaffna said.