Douglas Devananda pays homage to SLA soldiers killed in demining

[TamilNet, Thursday, 30 September 2010, 05:20 GMT]
Sri Lanka Minister Douglas Devananda paid homage to the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers killed in demining operations in the North in an event held in Vassavi’laan Maththiya Makaa Viththiyaalayam Tuesday. Paying homage to SLA soldiers by Douglas Devananda is an attempt to please Major Gen. Mahinda Kathurusinghe, SLA Jaffna Commander who had openly criticized him for exploiting the sacrifices of SLA soldiers to attain selfish interests, sources in Jaffna said. Meanwhile, Northern Province Governor, Major Gen. G. A. Chandrasiri is keen in improving relations between Douglas Devananda and Mahinda Kathurusinghe, the sources added.

Douglas Devananda began his speech in the Tuesday event paying homage to the SLA soldiers recently killed while clearing landmines in Kaangkeasanthu’rai area and the soldiers killed in demining operations in the North and East.

Mahinda Kathursinghe who enjoys the support of key political leaders in Sri Lanka government had told local media reporters that Douglas Devananda and his Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP) men are involved in the killings, abduction, extortion, robberies and other crimes in Jaffna peninsula, the sources further said.

Vassavi’laan Maththiya Makaa Viththiyaalayam located in Palaali SLA High Security Zone was officially handed over to the school administration in the event.

Meanwhile, reopening Vasaavi’laan Maththiya Makaa Viththiyaalayam caught in Palaali High Security Zone (HSZ) of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) for the last twenty years is not immediately possible due to the danger of landmines in the school precincts, the school administration said.

The school now functions in a private property in Urumpiraay area since it was forced to displace in 1990 due to SLA offensives. The roof and the furniture of the school had been plundered during SLA occupation.

Chronology: