04-27-2008, 03:13 PM
Srilankan Army takes over Madhu Church
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections...spx?ARTID=12892
<b>In keeping with President Mahinda Rajapaksaâs promise to Pope Benedict XVI last year during his visit to the Vatican, Sri Lanka Armyâs 57 Division on Wednesday took over the full control of the Madhu Church</b> after nine years under the LTTE control, without any resistance from the Tamil Tiger rebels.
In February 2007, 57 Division led by Brigadier Jagath Dias was tasked to capture the Madhu area including the shrine. The operation commenced from north of Omanthai parallel to the A-9 main road. In order to capture the Madhu area, a plan was mapped out at the Colombo Army Headquarters under the command of Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. According to the plan, troops were tasked to not enter four square kilometers around the Madhu church to prevent causing any damage to the church. For that purpose, a âNo War Zoneâ had been declared.
Despite heavy resistance from the Tigers, troops were able to reach Thampanai village boundary. The village was a secure location as the Tigers themselves had used its geographical location for protection. Due to this reason the troops were unable to make any progress beyond that village for over ten months.
At the end of last year, Seven Sinha Regiment led by its Commanding Officer Lt Col. Kithsiri Liyanage made a breakthrough as they took full control of the Thampanai village. According to the plan, troops were instructed to surround the church and cut off all entry/exit roads to the Church without harming the Church.
Under the leadership of 57-2 Brigade Commander Lt. Col Senarath Bandara, three battalions â 10 Light Infantry from south of Palampiddi, 7 Sinha Regiment from Sinnapandivirichchan and Parappakandal road while Seven Light Infantry from Periyapandivirichchan started to move towards the Madhu church.
The Army specifically engaged in a slow and painstaking tactical measure in order to avoid any military operations within the Madhu "No War Zone".
After isolated clashes and some fierce battles that stretched throughout the last five months, the troops were able to reach the vicinity of the Church premises two weeks ago. With the intensifying of fighting the sacred statue of âOur Lady of Madhuâ was shifted two weeks ago forcibly by the LTTE and all the Church officials had been withdrawn.
Due to the modus operandi of the Sri Lanka Army the LTTE started to withdraw amidst the increasing military pressures outside the no war zone. Few weeks ago âMalathiâ, âRadhaâ and âCharles Anthonyâ brigades of the LTTE withdrew from the area after shifting their heavy guns. A small LTTE element led by a terrorist leader âGopithâ was the last LTTE group to remain at the church.
On Thursday exactly at 1.30 pm, 7 Sinha Regiment led by Lt Col. Kithsiri Liyanage entered the Madhu church after nine years. With them the 7 Light Infantry led by Lt. Col Ranjith Abeyratne also entered the compound.
According to sources some walls of the Church have been damaged due to LTTE mortar fire. The 10 Light Infantry led by Lt. Col Jagath Kodithuwakku also later joined with the other two battalions at the church.
Now the entire area has been cleared of booby traps and other kinds of explosives set by the withdrawing Tigers.
In August 1999, the Sri Lanka Army withdrew from the area including the Madhu church.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections...spx?ARTID=12892
<b>In keeping with President Mahinda Rajapaksaâs promise to Pope Benedict XVI last year during his visit to the Vatican, Sri Lanka Armyâs 57 Division on Wednesday took over the full control of the Madhu Church</b> after nine years under the LTTE control, without any resistance from the Tamil Tiger rebels.
In February 2007, 57 Division led by Brigadier Jagath Dias was tasked to capture the Madhu area including the shrine. The operation commenced from north of Omanthai parallel to the A-9 main road. In order to capture the Madhu area, a plan was mapped out at the Colombo Army Headquarters under the command of Army Commander Sarath Fonseka. According to the plan, troops were tasked to not enter four square kilometers around the Madhu church to prevent causing any damage to the church. For that purpose, a âNo War Zoneâ had been declared.
Despite heavy resistance from the Tigers, troops were able to reach Thampanai village boundary. The village was a secure location as the Tigers themselves had used its geographical location for protection. Due to this reason the troops were unable to make any progress beyond that village for over ten months.
At the end of last year, Seven Sinha Regiment led by its Commanding Officer Lt Col. Kithsiri Liyanage made a breakthrough as they took full control of the Thampanai village. According to the plan, troops were instructed to surround the church and cut off all entry/exit roads to the Church without harming the Church.
Under the leadership of 57-2 Brigade Commander Lt. Col Senarath Bandara, three battalions â 10 Light Infantry from south of Palampiddi, 7 Sinha Regiment from Sinnapandivirichchan and Parappakandal road while Seven Light Infantry from Periyapandivirichchan started to move towards the Madhu church.
The Army specifically engaged in a slow and painstaking tactical measure in order to avoid any military operations within the Madhu "No War Zone".
After isolated clashes and some fierce battles that stretched throughout the last five months, the troops were able to reach the vicinity of the Church premises two weeks ago. With the intensifying of fighting the sacred statue of âOur Lady of Madhuâ was shifted two weeks ago forcibly by the LTTE and all the Church officials had been withdrawn.
Due to the modus operandi of the Sri Lanka Army the LTTE started to withdraw amidst the increasing military pressures outside the no war zone. Few weeks ago âMalathiâ, âRadhaâ and âCharles Anthonyâ brigades of the LTTE withdrew from the area after shifting their heavy guns. A small LTTE element led by a terrorist leader âGopithâ was the last LTTE group to remain at the church.
On Thursday exactly at 1.30 pm, 7 Sinha Regiment led by Lt Col. Kithsiri Liyanage entered the Madhu church after nine years. With them the 7 Light Infantry led by Lt. Col Ranjith Abeyratne also entered the compound.
According to sources some walls of the Church have been damaged due to LTTE mortar fire. The 10 Light Infantry led by Lt. Col Jagath Kodithuwakku also later joined with the other two battalions at the church.
Now the entire area has been cleared of booby traps and other kinds of explosives set by the withdrawing Tigers.
In August 1999, the Sri Lanka Army withdrew from the area including the Madhu church.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->