SLA increases security measures in interior Jaffna peninsula

[TamilNet, Thursday, 01 May 2008, 18:52 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in Jaffna has begun launching sporadic small-scale cordon and search operations with police assistance in interior areas of Jaffna peninsula as attacks on SLA have increased in the recent past, sources in Jaffna said. Since large number of troops being moved to the Northern Front Line Defence (FDL) areas, the SLA has been employing fewer men in the search operations with police assistance.

Buffel Armoured Personnel Carriers are also deployed by the teams engaged in check-ups.

Previous SLA cordon and search operations had been held from dawn to dusk deploying large number of troops. But these operations are now launched by smaller units with police assistance even in the nights.

Meanwhile, new check posts have been built along roads in Chaddanaathar Road, Raasa Veethi road and Aadiyapaatham Veethi in Ka'l'liyangkaadu besides the ones already erected along the main routes like Jaffna-Kandy Main Road and Jaffna-Point Pedro road.

As most people had started using smaller alternative ways avoiding SLA check posts on the main roads in the peninsula, the SLA and the paramilitary operating with it has begun constructing new check posts along these smaller roads too.

SLA check posts have also been newly built along the road in front of Koappaay Heroes Resting Home and in Nilaavarai located in the Navakkiri GS area of Valikaamam East division.

Similarly, SLA check posts are being put up newly in Vadamaraadchi, Thenmaraadchi and Valikaamam areas too.