Defense Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapaksa said that although the LTTE has been eliminated in Sri Lanka, the international web of the Tigers is still active but yet they do not have the capabilities to wage a war.
He made this statement when he addressed the security forces after opening the first Security Forces headquarters in Mullaitivua this morning.
The Defense Secretary added that organizations such as the Global Tamil Forum in the UK, the transnational government in the US and groups in Norway still carry the ideology of the LTTE and therefore the intelligent units of the army and all other security services have to be vigilant.
The Defense Secretary also said that the navy has a special role to play and that they need to protect the country from rebels who arrive in the country subsequent to receiving military training from other countries.
He added that the army should play a different role and should build a relationship with the public.
“Soldiers should know the intelligent capabilities of the LTTE and they should concentrate on sustaining the peace they achieved after hardships and many sacrifices. Security forces have an important role to play to prevent Sri Lanka from going back to the dark Age,” he said.
He also added that they will look into facilities when they set up camps for soldiers although it was not done so in earlier occasion.
“We will look into facilities before setting up camps unlike in the past so that soldiers can perform their duties well,” he said.
Meanwhile the Security Forces Headquarters Commander for Mullaitivu Major General Prasana deSilva, speaking to Daily Mirror online said that the army presence in Mullaitivu will be curtailed once civil administration is fully established in the area.
He said that following discussions with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mahinda Balasuriya and Defence Secretary Gotabahya Rajapaksa 5 to 6 police stations will be established in the area soon and once that is done the army presence will be reduced.
He also said that Mullaitivu, which is now operating on generators, will be connected to the main power grid by the end of this month. Public transport will be increased to the area and job opportunities will also be provided to the resettled families.
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