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Battles In Batticaloa: Too Early To Tell
By Chandi Sinnathurai
31 March, 2007
Countercurrents.orgClombo seem to have prematurely claimed victory in Kokoticholai. This Tamil Tiger base in the East has functioned as Tiger HQ since the days of the defected iron-fisted Karuna. Its no doubt a prized trophy – in terms of both the psychological-effect on the Eastern Tamils and in its sheer symbolism. But the problem is, the Government has published only (including photographs) half the story.
We wrote else where, some weeks ago that, the strategy of the Sri Lankan Forces was to capture Vavunativu base of the Tigers following the fall of Vaharai and then they would move on to Kokoticholai.
It is believed that some strategic areas of Vavunativu has indeed fallen to the hands of the Government forces. Once the position in Vavunativu had become shaky; much manpower was needed to protect Kokoticholai against the domino effect.
People in the area have indicated that even before the Sri Lankan troops entered Kokoticholai the Tiger cadres have withdrawn. The troops have ‘captured’ the Kokoticholai HQ without any fighting. In other words, like Vaharai it simply ‘fell in to their hands’.
An informed citizen observed that, “Nobody knows where the [Tiger]cadres had gone. May be Wanni, may be somewhere else in Thoppigala”
One important information the Government has chosen not to divulge. And that is, the Sri Lankan Army is yet to capture the Tamil Tiger military bases in Kokoticholai.
Hence the talk of total victory in the East is still very premature.
It looks that the Tamil Tigers are positioning themselves against the envisaged Government troop invasion into the Tamil Tiger heart-land Vanni. Protecting the heartbeat of the Defacto state at this juncture is absolutely paramount.
In the mean time, one has to not lose sight of the human trauma. The plight of the internal refugees (over 153,000) is appalling. Child-abduction, and forced conscription are still a plague in the East. People there are terrified not knowing what is going to happen next.
One has to be wise as to not reading too much into Tiger withdrawals as weakness or defeats. It could very well be a tactical move for all intents and purposes – an open invitation to the enemy!
On the whole, keeping positions intact in the heat of the battle is increasingly becoming untenable owing to the lack of manpower. And this we are told, is the problem on both sides.
Fr Chandi Sinnathurai is a peasant-priest. He maintains a blog at: http://chandi.eponym.com/blog
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