Three thousand Sri Lankan soldiers were killed fighting the Liberation Tigers in the past three months, the Sunday Island newspaper reported this week, quoting government Defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella.
He was responding to opposition charges that 15,000 troops had been killed in the battles since October last year.
Asked about opposition claims of heavy SLA casualties in the heavy fighting in the Vanni, Rambukwella told the Sunday Island, that the figure of 15,000 soldiers dead was exaggerated and not correct.
"According to our estimates, around 3,000 soldiers have been killed in action since October 2008."
Meanwhile SLA commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka wants to eventually double the size of the SLA to 300,000 soldiers to hold areas captured from the LTTE.
Meanwhile SLA commander Lt. Gen. Sarath Fonseka wants to eventually double the size of the SLA to 300,000 soldiers to hold areas captured from the LTTE.
The SLA has an official strength of 160,000.
The Nation newspaper added that Lt. Gen. Fonseka is of the view that at least 300,000 personnel will be needed to ensure security in the areas recaptured by the SLA in the Vanni operations.
The Sri Lanka Army already has eight divisions deployed to fight the LTTE, The Nation said, adding that another, Task Force V, which was raised as the ninth fighting division was deployed a week ago for holding operations of crucial areas already cleared and the security of A-9 Highway.
As the SLA commander unveiled plans to expand the numbers of troops, Minister Rambukwelle said that there are only two thousand Tamil Tiger fighters left.
Asked about the whereabouts of LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapaharan, Rambukwelle told the Sunday Island: "He is in Mullaithivu and being guarded by the 2,000 cadres that the LTTE has left. It is a matter of time before its last bastion is also overrun."
Asked if he thought the remaining LTTE cadres could regroup and operate as an effective guerilla organization, the minister opinioned: "No, they might be able to cause some damage occasionally, but the LTTE, as an organization, has lost its effectiveness and the morale of their cadres is very low. They can no longer pose a serious threat."
The Nation newspaper added that Lt. Gen. Fonseka is of the view that at least 300,000 personnel will be needed to ensure security in the areas recaptured by the SLA in the Vanni operations.
The Sri Lanka Army already has eight divisions deployed to fight the LTTE, The Nation said, adding that another, Task Force V, which was raised as the ninth fighting division was deployed a week ago for holding operations of crucial areas already cleared and the security of A-9 Highway.
As the SLA commander unveiled plans to expand the numbers of troops, Minister Rambukwelle said that there are only two thousand Tamil Tiger fighters left.
Asked about the whereabouts of LTTE chief Velupillai Pirapaharan, Rambukwelle told the Sunday Island: "He is in Mullaithivu and being guarded by the 2,000 cadres that the LTTE has left. It is a matter of time before its last bastion is also overrun."
Asked if he thought the remaining LTTE cadres could regroup and operate as an effective guerilla organization, the minister opinioned: "No, they might be able to cause some damage occasionally, but the LTTE, as an organization, has lost its effectiveness and the morale of their cadres is very low. They can no longer pose a serious threat."
