Jaffna commander briefs diplomats

[TamilNet, Friday, 13 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The commander of the Sri Lankan security forces in Jaffna, Major General Lionel Balagalle, met members of the diplomatic community at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo to explain the situation in Jaffna.

The meeting, which had been arranged by the Foreign Ministry, was attended by 45 diplomats, mostly from western missions in Colombo.

Major General Balagalle explained to them about the Sri Lankan Army's security system in the peninsula, the civilian - military relationship there, the LTTE threat and other issues.

He also gave them an account of the local government elections which was held on January 29.

Major General Balagalle drew sarcastic smiles when he explained the cordial relations he maintained with the local people in Jaffna.