Army use 'a differnt language'- Keheliya
Army Commander Lt.General Sarath Fonseka
Defence affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says government has no intention to launch an offensive to capture areas under LTTE.
He said the clashes are merely "retaliatory" in reaction to Tiger attacks.
Recently, the Army commander Lt.General Sarath Fonseka, had openly stated the intentions of the security forces to drive the Tamil Tigers from the North and the East.
"Niyatha Jaya"
State run newspapers declared that the government had launched a new offensive named "Niayathai Jaya" to capture areas in the East which are under Tamil Tiger control.
These reports in the government media quoted the head of Police Special Task Force Nimal Lewke.
Minister Rambukwella said probably the Force commanders meant the same approach although they were using different terminology.
Explaining the lexican, the minister said, "Security forces use language in a different way. They say 'operation' or 'offensive' when we are actually retaliating."
Minister Rambukwella answering to a question said, "on the other hand, government has to take measures against any attacks that threatened the national security and the safety of the innocent tamil people".
army in Ampara
Sri Lanka army in Ampara
Retaliatory attack
He said, earlier in the week, Sri Lankan forces launched a retaliatory attack on a LTTE camp in Kanchikudichchiaaru in Ampara and also seven other camps surrounding it.
"They captured a Terrorsit uniform making outfit, Motor cycles, Arms and ammunition.", he said.
These attacks, Minister Rambukwella said, was to control LTTE artillery attacks on special task force in the area.
Minister Rambukwella said government would continue to retaliate as long as security forces are attacked by the LTTE.
The statements of the commanders and the prominance given to the statements in the state media raised speculations in local media about a shift in policy of the government.
On Thursday, the Sri Lanka army website news update expalined the situation in Amapara district.
"Janath Camp"
"The STF after giving stiff resistance to LTTE terrorists finally managed to physically capture the main JANATH camp and seven other sub camps forcing the terrorists to flee the area of KANCHKUDICHCHIARU". it stated.
When asked if the approach of the security forces were contridictory to the government, Minister said there were no such contrdiction and both institutions are working in complete 'harmony'.
Army Commander Lt.General Sarath Fonseka
Defence affairs spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says government has no intention to launch an offensive to capture areas under LTTE.
He said the clashes are merely "retaliatory" in reaction to Tiger attacks.
Recently, the Army commander Lt.General Sarath Fonseka, had openly stated the intentions of the security forces to drive the Tamil Tigers from the North and the East.
"Niyatha Jaya"
State run newspapers declared that the government had launched a new offensive named "Niayathai Jaya" to capture areas in the East which are under Tamil Tiger control.
These reports in the government media quoted the head of Police Special Task Force Nimal Lewke.
Minister Rambukwella said probably the Force commanders meant the same approach although they were using different terminology.
Explaining the lexican, the minister said, "Security forces use language in a different way. They say 'operation' or 'offensive' when we are actually retaliating."
Minister Rambukwella answering to a question said, "on the other hand, government has to take measures against any attacks that threatened the national security and the safety of the innocent tamil people".
army in Ampara
Sri Lanka army in Ampara
Retaliatory attack
He said, earlier in the week, Sri Lankan forces launched a retaliatory attack on a LTTE camp in Kanchikudichchiaaru in Ampara and also seven other camps surrounding it.
"They captured a Terrorsit uniform making outfit, Motor cycles, Arms and ammunition.", he said.
These attacks, Minister Rambukwella said, was to control LTTE artillery attacks on special task force in the area.
Minister Rambukwella said government would continue to retaliate as long as security forces are attacked by the LTTE.
The statements of the commanders and the prominance given to the statements in the state media raised speculations in local media about a shift in policy of the government.
On Thursday, the Sri Lanka army website news update expalined the situation in Amapara district.
"Janath Camp"
"The STF after giving stiff resistance to LTTE terrorists finally managed to physically capture the main JANATH camp and seven other sub camps forcing the terrorists to flee the area of KANCHKUDICHCHIARU". it stated.
When asked if the approach of the security forces were contridictory to the government, Minister said there were no such contrdiction and both institutions are working in complete 'harmony'.
