'Armed strength vital for our protection' - Soosai

[TamilNet, Thursday, 10 October 2002, 20:08 GMT]
More than hundred thousand people from Vavuniya, Jaffna and many parts of the Vanni thronged the Killinochchi grounds and its surroundings to see the military parade of the LTTE's women fighting forces. The parade was followed by series of floats depicting the women fighting units of the LTTE.

Many senior commanders of the LTTE including the head of the Intelligence Pottu Amman were present at the rally. The international and local media covered the rally and military parade.

Addressing the large rally in Killinochchi, the Commander of the Sea Tigers Colonel Soosai said, "our armed forces have fought for achieving our homeland, respect for our nationality and self-rule. It is important that we continue to modernize and strengthen our armed forces until we achieve these goals."



"You may ask why we should hold military parades like what you saw today in this atmosphere of peace. It is the strength of our armed forces that have helped to achieve the peace that all are enjoying now," said Colonel Soosai.

He continued," Sinhala people must understand that our armed forces are only for protecting our own people. They are not meant to conquer others or take other people's territories. Our armed forces are not a threat to anyone."