The LTTE last week charged that the government’s move to capture Silavathurai in Mannar was yet another political stunt aimed at fooling the people in the south and challenged the security forces to launch an offensive into areas where there are Tiger cadres in the Wanni.
LTTE Military Spokesperson I. Ilanthirayan told The Morning Leader the government forces were only targeting areas where their humanitarian work was carried out instead of targeting its main areas.
He said only the humanitarian workers were stationed in the area and no armed cadres were there.
"The government is beating around the bush without looking into the core issues. It is not targeting our main areas at all. It is just another eyewash," he said.
He said there was no fighting in Silavathurai and added only the Tigers’ humanitarian workers were stationed in the area. "This is Political Stunt-2 of the government," he said.
Silavathurai is south of the Medawachahiya-Mannar Road, which is controlled by the government and there were no armed Tiger cadres in the region, Ilanthirayan said.
Speaking further Ilanthirayan added the government was capable of doing anything to mislead the people to gain political advantage.
Ilanthirayan also said the previous efforts of the government forces to attack the LTTE stronghold in Vanni had failed.
"They have already tried to attack our areas and did not taste success. The government will hoist its national flag in Wilpattu, Sinharaja or some nearby jungle and show the people they have captured key areas of the LTTE," he said.
Speaking on the closure of the Uyilankulam Road, Ilanthirayan said the ICRC was forced to withdraw due to shelling by the government forces.
"They were on their way taking the mortal remains of SLA personnel. The military started shelling at the time and the ICRC crew was forced to take cover in our bunkers," he said.
