Sri Lanka strips east to bolster north

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The government has reduced the number of STF personnel in its camps in Arugambay and Panama on the Pottuvil - Yala coastal road according to reports from the area.

The reduction in STF forces is attributed to security demands in the Omanthai sector which is now being looked after partly by the STF.

Special Task Froce personnel have also been recalled for duty in Colombo following the Galadari blast.

Plans to reduce STF force levels in Oorani, Komari and Rottai were recently dicussed by the top brass of the Force.

It is said that local officers in charge of these camps which lie on the vital link road along the coast between Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil in the Ampara district had expressed the opinion that it would be difficult to maintain their positions with fewer troops.

A suggestion has been that all these camps should be merged into one strong camp to supervise the southeastern part of the Ampara district where the large Kanjikudichcha Aaru jungle lie.

The Liberation Tigers have a base complex in this extensive jungle.