Court of inquiry to probe Lanka Army's losses

Court of inquiry to probe Lanka Army's losses
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Colombo, April 25: The Sri Lankan Government would shortly institute a court of inquiry into the human and material losses suffered during last weekend's military debacle in which the army lost two strategic garrisons to the LTTE in northern Jaffna Peninsula, Army chief Gen Srilal Weerasurya said.

The magnitude of the fighting was so heavy that an inquiry would naturally follow to investigate into the losses suffered by the army, he told reporters here last night.

A previous court of inquiry into the army's debacle in northern Vanni during the LTTE counter attacks last November had held seven top officials including two major generals and a brigadier responsible and prematurely retired them.

On being asked if he would own responsibility for the losses and tender his resignation, the Army chief said he was prepared to quit if he asked to. `I did not ask for this post', he retorted.

Responding to questions about the fate of the Jaffna peninsula, he said the army was confident of defending despite the loss of two its strategic garrisons. The general also denied LTTE claims that it had suffered heavy casualties and lost large amount of weapons.

He said the decision to withdraw from the Elephant Pass and Iyakatchchi garrisons was taken on April 21 in order to strengthen army defences to protect the peninsula, adding that the garrisons would be regained as soon as army strengthens its defences in the present locations.

Admitting that the army has completely pulled out of Elephant Pass garrison, he denied the LTTE claim that it has captured Soaranpattu saying that the troops have established strong defences there.

He said contrary to reports army has stationed only one division of troops kept in Elephant Pass which was withdrawn in a phased manner. He however refused to give the exact numbers. A Sri Lankan Division constitutes around 6,000 troops.

Denying LTTE claims that over a 1,000 soldiers were killed, he said army losses on April 21 were 88 killed and less than 100 missing. In all 19 officers and 438 other ranks were injured.

On the contrary, LTTE radio had given the names of 368 cadre who died between March 26 and April 21. Before that the rebel group has admitted to have lost 500 cadre between December 11 last year and March 26.