Armed forces on ‘defensive mode’ during festive season

President Mahinda Rajapaksa today (Apr. 12) ordered the Armed Forces engaged in counter terrorists operations in the north to remain defensive during the Sinhala and Tamil new year celebrations that starts from tomorrow.

The statement in full issued by the President’s Office:

“As the nation celebrates the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year, His Excellency the President is deeply conscious of the need to give the civilian population entrapped as hostages by the ruthless actions of the LTTE, the opportunity to celebrate these festivities in a suitable atmosphere and to have uninhibited freedom of movement from the No Fire Zone to the cleared areas.

“With this objective in view, His Excellency has directed the Armed Forces of the State to restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature.

“The Sinhala & Tamil New Year is symbolic of the amity prevailing amongst all communities in Sri Lanka. In the true spirit of the season, it is timely for the LTTE to acknowledge its military defeat and lay down its weapons and surrender. The LTTE must also renounce terrorism and violence permanently.” - Courtesy: Presidential Media Unit