Tamil National Alliance MP for Batticaloa, Pakiaselvam Ariyanethiran, Tuesday night told media that Sri Lankan forces were staging search operations in the three districts of Eastern Province to justify Colombo’s “need” to extend the Emergency in the island. The Sri Lanka Army with the SL Police on Tuesday launched major cordon and search operation simultaneously in all the three districts of the Eastern province for the first time since the end of Vanni war. Meanwhile, Tamil residents of border villages in the East said the SLA had put up new road blocks and had issued warnings asking for details of those who were protesting against Sinhalese being settled along the border villages.
SLA troops were again posted for duty along border villages Vadamunai, Ooththuch-cheanai and Punaanai areas and had threatened the Tamil villagers.
The operation commenced Tuesday morning and had been continuing late in the day. Normalcy in the districts were disrupted due to the sudden deployment of large number of troops and police personnel in the operation, civil sources said.
Large numbers of troops and police personnel were in Trincomalee port town and its suburbs stopping all vehicles and three wheelers and checking those traveling. Pedestrians were also stopped and checked by the SL forces.
The SLA had set up road blocks along Badulla road and Colombo road.
In Batticaloa district SLA sentries were set up along Paduvaankarai-Colombo highway and all vehicles were checked. Kokkaddich-choalai, Muthalik-kudaa and Makizhadith-theevu came under SL search operation.
In Ampaarai district SLA troops with police personnel Tuesday morning commenced cordon and search operation in Thirukkoayil village including coastal areas along from Thampiluvil Kalaimaka’l Viththiyaalayamto Thirukoail police station.