rapa
10-18-2006, 03:59 PM
In the weekly media briefing Defence Spokesman, Minister Keheliya Rambukwella addressed the following issues:
The suicide attack on the Galle Fishing Harbor on 18th October, 2006
Distorted media reporting
The Geneva talks
The suicide attack on the Galle Fishing Harbor on 18th October, 2006
The Defence Spokesman informed that today at around 7.45 am LTTE attempted an attack on the Galle Harbor. He analyzed the main objectives of the LTTE from this attack was to:
*Counter against the continuous defeats the LTTE suffered at the hands of the Navy
*Create a backlash in the south against innocent Tamil people, thereby creating a sympathetic note in the Geneva talks. It is with this intention that the suicide attack on the naval transit point, Digampothana, Habarana took place. After failing to create the desired backlash, LTTE tried a similar attack in Galle.
*Establish their strength and gain a psychological edge before the Geneva talks resumes.
However, the Defence Spokesman said the Sri Lanka Navy played its role in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Elaborating, LTTE had come disguised as fishermen in 5 boats, laden with explosives. The Navy destroyed 3 immediately at the location where the fisher boats are checked before entering the harbor. The other 2 self-exploded at the entrance of the Galle Harbor. Now, the situation is under full control of the Security Forces.
The Defence Spokesman said that this is a trap laid by LTTE with the intention of creating a backlash against the Tamil community. However, he appreciated the confidence people have placed in the forces and thereby avoiding this trap.
Distorted media reporting
The Defence Spokesman requested, especially from the foreign media, to refrain from distorting facts. He pointed out that certain media had twisted the following issues:
• The tourist paradise of Sri Lanka attacked
• The commercial harbor attacked
• The President has called for a full report on the
Muhamalai incident
• The tourist paradise of Sri Lanka attacked
He corrected that Galle is more the tourist commercial than the tourist capital. He said that Benthota where there are 28 key hotels or Habarana or Trinco can be identified as the tourist paradise of Sri Lanka, but not Galle, where there is only 1 key hotel.
Commercial Habour• The commercial harbor attacked
He also corrected that it was at the Galle harbor the incident took place and by no means the commercial harbor.
President called• The President has called for a full report on the Muhamalai incident
He categorically denied that H. E. President Rajapakse has called for a probe on the recent Muhamalai confrontation. He clarified the Defence Secretary had called for a presentation from the Security Forces, which is the norm after any such military operation to study the strong and wrong points of the operation.
He requested from these media units to act with more responsibility, which is their obligation to Sri Lanka as well as own their media institutes.
The Geneva talks
The Defence Spokesman confirmed that the Geneva talks are as scheduled. He stressed that the talks are not to console, pacify or sympathize LTTE, but to address the grievances of the people of the North and East. Touching briefly on history, he said that in the backdrop of the most unfortunate 1983 incident, a stage was created to address these grievances, which Prabhakaran took advantage.
Prabhakaran would never agree to democratic governance as he would no longer be able to sustain his lifestyle. As a brutal fascist who has dragged his people towards stone-age by among many atrocities, denying the Tamil children the right to education, where as his own enjoy a life of luxury in overseas.
Since independence, Defence Spokesman highlighted, this is the 1st time that all political parties have fallen in line to address the North and East grievances. He said this vital opportunity must not be lost.
He further said Japanese envoy Mr. Akashi has expressed his gratification to the President for continuing with the Geneva talks. The President however stressed that the government reserves the right to retaliate if LTTE continuous with their terrorist acts.
Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake Elaborates on the Intended Attack on the Galle Harbor
Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said the Navy successfully repelled the suicide attack by the terrorists on the Galle Naval Base in the Harbor. Briefly touching the backdrop, the Commander explained that though strict security measures are imposed, it is not done at the expense of the many fishermen operating in the area. Every fishing boat is issued a pass, which is checked at the harbor entry. It is with such a boat cluster, the terrorist tried to gain entry to the harbor.
In the conflict the 5 boats in which the terrorists came were destroyed. One sailor was killed and 15 injured.
The security situation in the Galle Harbor and the Naval Base is under controls.
Military Spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe Seeks Continuous Support from the Public
Military Spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the Security Forces were able to avert disasters due to the information given by the vigilant civilians. He appeals to the public to continue with their vigilance and to continue with their support.
The suicide attack on the Galle Fishing Harbor on 18th October, 2006
Distorted media reporting
The Geneva talks
The suicide attack on the Galle Fishing Harbor on 18th October, 2006
The Defence Spokesman informed that today at around 7.45 am LTTE attempted an attack on the Galle Harbor. He analyzed the main objectives of the LTTE from this attack was to:
*Counter against the continuous defeats the LTTE suffered at the hands of the Navy
*Create a backlash in the south against innocent Tamil people, thereby creating a sympathetic note in the Geneva talks. It is with this intention that the suicide attack on the naval transit point, Digampothana, Habarana took place. After failing to create the desired backlash, LTTE tried a similar attack in Galle.
*Establish their strength and gain a psychological edge before the Geneva talks resumes.
However, the Defence Spokesman said the Sri Lanka Navy played its role in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. Elaborating, LTTE had come disguised as fishermen in 5 boats, laden with explosives. The Navy destroyed 3 immediately at the location where the fisher boats are checked before entering the harbor. The other 2 self-exploded at the entrance of the Galle Harbor. Now, the situation is under full control of the Security Forces.
The Defence Spokesman said that this is a trap laid by LTTE with the intention of creating a backlash against the Tamil community. However, he appreciated the confidence people have placed in the forces and thereby avoiding this trap.
Distorted media reporting
The Defence Spokesman requested, especially from the foreign media, to refrain from distorting facts. He pointed out that certain media had twisted the following issues:
• The tourist paradise of Sri Lanka attacked
• The commercial harbor attacked
• The President has called for a full report on the
Muhamalai incident
• The tourist paradise of Sri Lanka attacked
He corrected that Galle is more the tourist commercial than the tourist capital. He said that Benthota where there are 28 key hotels or Habarana or Trinco can be identified as the tourist paradise of Sri Lanka, but not Galle, where there is only 1 key hotel.
Commercial Habour• The commercial harbor attacked
He also corrected that it was at the Galle harbor the incident took place and by no means the commercial harbor.
President called• The President has called for a full report on the Muhamalai incident
He categorically denied that H. E. President Rajapakse has called for a probe on the recent Muhamalai confrontation. He clarified the Defence Secretary had called for a presentation from the Security Forces, which is the norm after any such military operation to study the strong and wrong points of the operation.
He requested from these media units to act with more responsibility, which is their obligation to Sri Lanka as well as own their media institutes.
The Geneva talks
The Defence Spokesman confirmed that the Geneva talks are as scheduled. He stressed that the talks are not to console, pacify or sympathize LTTE, but to address the grievances of the people of the North and East. Touching briefly on history, he said that in the backdrop of the most unfortunate 1983 incident, a stage was created to address these grievances, which Prabhakaran took advantage.
Prabhakaran would never agree to democratic governance as he would no longer be able to sustain his lifestyle. As a brutal fascist who has dragged his people towards stone-age by among many atrocities, denying the Tamil children the right to education, where as his own enjoy a life of luxury in overseas.
Since independence, Defence Spokesman highlighted, this is the 1st time that all political parties have fallen in line to address the North and East grievances. He said this vital opportunity must not be lost.
He further said Japanese envoy Mr. Akashi has expressed his gratification to the President for continuing with the Geneva talks. The President however stressed that the government reserves the right to retaliate if LTTE continuous with their terrorist acts.
Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake Elaborates on the Intended Attack on the Galle Harbor
Commander D.K.P. Dassanayake said the Navy successfully repelled the suicide attack by the terrorists on the Galle Naval Base in the Harbor. Briefly touching the backdrop, the Commander explained that though strict security measures are imposed, it is not done at the expense of the many fishermen operating in the area. Every fishing boat is issued a pass, which is checked at the harbor entry. It is with such a boat cluster, the terrorist tried to gain entry to the harbor.
In the conflict the 5 boats in which the terrorists came were destroyed. One sailor was killed and 15 injured.
The security situation in the Galle Harbor and the Naval Base is under controls.
Military Spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe Seeks Continuous Support from the Public
Military Spokesman, Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe said the Security Forces were able to avert disasters due to the information given by the vigilant civilians. He appeals to the public to continue with their vigilance and to continue with their support.