More troop movement towards Vanni warfront

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 03 August 1999, 09:53 GMT]
The Deputy Defence Minister, General Anurudha Ratwatte, visited Vavuniya today to inspect the latest situation in the Vanni warfronts, said sources. He was accompanied by the Navy and Army Commanders and senior Police officials.

Major General Lionel Balagalle the Chief of Staff and the Commander for Vanni region addressed the Minister and senior security personnel at the head quarters of the Vanni army base this morning to give an account of the recently completed Phase II of Operation Rana Gossa 4.

Major General Sisira Wijesooriya the GOC 53 Division and Major General K.Bohran gave the details of the operation. The Minister praised the courage of the soldiers deployed in the new operation.

Sources said that matters related to the present war situation were discussed by the security personnel by the Minister.

Meanwhile female soldiers are to be deployed from today at road check points and vital security positions along with regular soldiers in the north beyond Medawachchiya, said sources.

The step has been taken to free up regular troops to be deployed at the forward defence lines, sources added.