Flying Tigers 'bombs' again

(April 27, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Two planes from the 'TamilEelam Air Force' bombed the general area of the 223 Brigade, Area HQ Weli Oya and a gun position highly inaccurately in another psychological bombing run around 1.40am today in the Weli Oya FDL. Only one soldier was injured in the bombing. (Image: The Zlin 143 TAF operated aircraft and gravity bomb)

The planes retreated, flying just above the canopy of vegetation towards Mulaithivu South from where they operate a small landing strip. It is very difficult for the SLAF to engage these low flying planes in this sector due to vegetation, low-level flying etc.

The Zlin 143 TAF planes dropped 3 homemade gravity bombs. Before that, during almost the entire day yesterday, the LTTE fired volume after volume of artillery at the SLA FDL in Weli Oya killing 4 soldiers and injuring another 45. The Tigers kept moving the guns as is customary and an airstrike called in around 5pm did not stop the fire completely.

Ground sources say the LTTE does not operate artillery positions. They do not construct billets or prepare an area as an artillery field to fire from. Instead, they tow and drag canons around closely followed by a truck full of several dozen rounds of artillery shells and fire from location to location as them move.

These 'Mobile Artillery' pads are difficult to hit as the window of opportunity for hitting them is low since their location cannot be pin pointed for long. Despite having several COIN aircrafts and the capacity to purchase more, the SLAF is handicapped with fast jet bombers who are good at raiding only Kilinochchi.

Meanwhile, after a hugely unsuccessful and blundering performance at Nagarkovil, Brigadier and VIP protection Commando Officer Samantha Sooriyabandara has been removed from the post of Commander 53 Division. He has been replaced by the 55 Division Commander brigadier Kamal Gunaratne.

The 53 Division is now under one of the best and most highly committed officers; Brigadier and Special Forces Officer Prasanna Silva. Brigadier Silva took over command at a small function yesterday. His brilliant leadership and strategy led to the capture of Mavil Aru and Vakarai. His new task however, will be a considerable challenge especially against a determined and well entrenched foe in Jaffna.

Meanwhile,the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) raided LTTE positions located north of Weli Oya yesterday evening. The latest arial raid comes after the rebels shelled an army camp and surrounding villages in Weli-Oya region. LTTE fired artillery at Sinhapura army camp today morning however the surrounding villages too were hit. No military or civilians casualties have been reported. Meanwhile pro LTTE media claimed that the army had started a major offensive in the Weli-Oya region. According to our information there is no such major push towards Wanni apart from routine limited operations.

The Army has informed the Bishop of Mannar, Reverend Rayappu Josheph that they have captured the shrine and the surrounding area and has requested the return of statue of "our lady of Madhu". In reply the Bishop has mentioned that the return of the statue was 'uncertain' until both the army and the LTTE agreed to declare an area of two mile radius from the church as a no-war-zone. Interestingly, the bishop allowed the statue to remain at the shrine (then under LTTE control) long after the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) first placed their long range artillery guns inside the no war zone which was initially declared back in 2007. The army, after securing the church, has advanced further north from the Madhu shrine and are now in the process of securing Palampiddi region.

Meanwhile the recent setback at the northern front has triggered some changes in the SLA hierarchy. Former commander of the 53rd division has been appointed defence attache to the Sri Lanka Embassy in the US. The position of GOC(general officer commanding) of the 53rd division will most likely be filled by Brigadier Kamal Gunarathne who is the current commander of the 55th division. Brigadier Prasanna De Silva will be appointed as the GOC of the 55th division. Brig. Silva is a capable army officer who was one of the major forces behind the recent successes of SLA's Special Forces including the Vakarai operation.

(Arrangements with Defencewire and Defencenet)
- Sri Lanka Guardian