SLA commanders directed to use air-transport in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 July 2006, 19:49 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) high command in Palaly military base, Jaffna district, has issued a directive to all SLA camps in Jaffna peninsula advising high level military officers to use Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) helicopters for internal travel within the Peninsula, informed sources in Jaffna said. The directive comes in the wake of increased claymore attacks targeted on SLA vehicles, and on soldiers deployed on sentry duty and street patrols.

Travel by SLA commanders above Major level between 51-2 Brigade head quarters in Jaffna Fort, 52-4 Brigade head quarters in Point Pedro, Thenmaradchy camps, Puthur, Varani, Thamputhottam, and in Forward Defense Lines stretching from Nagarkovil to Varany are specifically requested to follow the directive, sources said.

Commanders from smaller posts are asked to travel to a close-by main SLA camp before being air-lifted to or from Palaly base, sources said.

Recently road patrols and SLA soldier presence on security duty are strengthened mainly support movement of SLA convoys of vehicles along main arteries to and from Palaly base.

Patrols and SLA deployment of security duty have seen a marked reduction during other times, sources said.