Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07COLOMBO986
2007-07-16 11:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:
SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH
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C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000986
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
MCC FOR D NASSIRY AND E BURKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH
REF: COLOMBO 00971
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James R. Moore, for reasons 1.4(b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L COLOMBO 000986
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
MCC FOR D NASSIRY AND E BURKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH
REF: COLOMBO 00971
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James R. Moore, for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 14, the Sri Lankan ARMY (SLA)
battled with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in
Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka, resulting in at
least 14 SLA deaths. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is
planning a large celebration on July 19 in downtown Colombo
to celebrate last week's victory in the East (reftel). These
latest clashes appear to mark the SLA's shift, following the
victory in the East, toward increased engagement in the
North, and continued similar offensives in the North are
expected in coming weeks. End Summary.
2. (C) On July 14, the SLA returned fire on a LTTE mortar
position in Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka. A
significant battle resulted in the deaths of 14 SLA troops
and 38 wounded, according to Sri Lankan Military Spokesman
Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe. Samarasinghe claimed a "large
number" of LTTE were killed and wounded. News sources quoted
the LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan as saying
they killed 16 SLA troops, wounded 45, and lost three LTTE
soldiers. On the same day, the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed
an LTTE camp in neighboring Mannar District; however,
casualty figures are not yet available. Samarasinghe called
the bombing operation "successful," citing that they had
intercepted LTTE communications requesting transport for
casualties. Suggesting that stepped up military action in
the North was likely in in the coming weeks, Samarasinghe
told POLFSN that additional troops would be moved into the
North if required by conditions on the ground. The fighting
came just three days after the GSL declared victory in the
East after the takeover of Thoppigala (reftel).
3. (C) The GSL is planning a large celebration on July 19
in downtown Colombo to celebrate last week's victory in the
East. The media reports that President Rajapaksa will make a
speech and receive a 21 gun salute. The event will showcase
an 800-troop military parade, school performances, and
helicopter fly bys. The GSL reportedly will invite
parliamentarians, politicians, diplomats, religious
dignitaries and senior Government officials to the
celebration. Although there were rumors that the event would
be canceled due to security threats, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Protocol Office today confirmed the celebration is
still scheduled to take place. The Embassy will consult with
SCA regarding the level of our representation, if any, at the
event.
4. (C) COMMENT: This weekend's clashes appear to mark the
SLA's shift, following its victory in the East, toward
increased engagement in the North. We expect to see
continued similar offensives in the North in the coming
weeks. We will closely monitor the situation in the North
and continue to urge the GSL to pursue a political rather
than military solution to the conflict.
MOORE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR SCA/INS
MCC FOR D NASSIRY AND E BURKE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER PHUM MOPS CE
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA: FIGHTING SHIFTS TO THE NORTH
REF: COLOMBO 00971
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James R. Moore, for reasons 1.4(b,d).
1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 14, the Sri Lankan ARMY (SLA)
battled with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in
Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka, resulting in at
least 14 SLA deaths. The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) is
planning a large celebration on July 19 in downtown Colombo
to celebrate last week's victory in the East (reftel). These
latest clashes appear to mark the SLA's shift, following the
victory in the East, toward increased engagement in the
North, and continued similar offensives in the North are
expected in coming weeks. End Summary.
2. (C) On July 14, the SLA returned fire on a LTTE mortar
position in Vavuniya district in northern Sri Lanka. A
significant battle resulted in the deaths of 14 SLA troops
and 38 wounded, according to Sri Lankan Military Spokesman
Brigadier Prasad Samarasinghe. Samarasinghe claimed a "large
number" of LTTE were killed and wounded. News sources quoted
the LTTE's Military Spokesman Irasiah Ilanthirayan as saying
they killed 16 SLA troops, wounded 45, and lost three LTTE
soldiers. On the same day, the Sri Lankan Air Force bombed
an LTTE camp in neighboring Mannar District; however,
casualty figures are not yet available. Samarasinghe called
the bombing operation "successful," citing that they had
intercepted LTTE communications requesting transport for
casualties. Suggesting that stepped up military action in
the North was likely in in the coming weeks, Samarasinghe
told POLFSN that additional troops would be moved into the
North if required by conditions on the ground. The fighting
came just three days after the GSL declared victory in the
East after the takeover of Thoppigala (reftel).
3. (C) The GSL is planning a large celebration on July 19
in downtown Colombo to celebrate last week's victory in the
East. The media reports that President Rajapaksa will make a
speech and receive a 21 gun salute. The event will showcase
an 800-troop military parade, school performances, and
helicopter fly bys. The GSL reportedly will invite
parliamentarians, politicians, diplomats, religious
dignitaries and senior Government officials to the
celebration. Although there were rumors that the event would
be canceled due to security threats, the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Protocol Office today confirmed the celebration is
still scheduled to take place. The Embassy will consult with
SCA regarding the level of our representation, if any, at the
event.
4. (C) COMMENT: This weekend's clashes appear to mark the
SLA's shift, following its victory in the East, toward
increased engagement in the North. We expect to see
continued similar offensives in the North in the coming
weeks. We will closely monitor the situation in the North
and continue to urge the GSL to pursue a political rather
than military solution to the conflict.
MOORE