Thoppigala: UNP accuses govt. of double-dealing

The main opposition UNP yesterday asked whether the government facilitated the withdrawal of 800 LTTE cadres who had been trapped in the Thoppigala area along with their leaders Ramesh and Jeyam as claimed by the military earlier.

UNP frontliner Lakshman Kiriella told journalists there was grave suspicion on what had happened to these entrapped Tigers and their arsenal including three multi-barrel mobile units. Mr.Kiriella said they did not see the security forces destroying the LTTE manpower at large in the embattled Thoppigala area.

“We have received information from reliable military sources that the government ensured a safe passage for these LTTE members to retreat to the north via Welikanda, Serunuwara, Mutur and Manirasakulam. We have reasonable ground to believe it because we did not see the LTTE manpower and heavy weapons being destroyed at large in the military operations,” he said.

But the military scoffed at the charge saying they did not wish to comment on political criticism. The LTTE when asked about the allegation said it did not wish to comment.

Mr. Kiriella said the UNP had the right to question on the matter as a party representing Parliament which is wholly responsible for public finances.

“Even the Executive President has no powers to use public finances without approval from the House,” he said.

In this context, the UNP demanded a ‘categorical reply’ from army spokesman Prasad Samarasinghe and Eastern Army Commander Parakrama Pannipitiya as to what happened to 800 LTTE cadres who were holed up in the Thoppigala jungle when army soldiers backed by the Air Force ringed it.

Mr. Kiriella said it would have been a real victory for the military if they were able to ring Thoppigala and smoke out the entrapped cadres.

“There is no possibility for the LTTE to withdraw without an ensured safe passage from the government because the military is occupying all other parts of the east while the navy is blocking sea movements of Tigers,” he said.

The UNP asked whether this was a part of the secret pact signed with the LTTE before the Presidential Election in 2005.

When contacted by the Daily Mirror, Brigadier Samarasinghe, said he would not comment on a political criticism.

“Whether people believe what politicians say or not is a different matter. The best thing is to contact Defence Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella,” he said.

Media Centre for National Security Director General Lakshman Hulugalla also said Minister Rambukwella was the ideal person to clarify the matter.

However, Mr.Hulugalla said some elements envious of the government’s military victories had made this criticism.

“People know whether the government did a real war or not. These elements that have plunged into the bottom of political bankruptcy are envious of these military victories to make such statements,” he said.

Attempts to reach Mr. Rambukwella were of no avail because he was in Kandy attending some meetings with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Meanwhile, when asked by the Daily Mirror yesterday about UNP claims that LTTE eastern leaders Ramesh and Jeyam were given safe passage out of Thopigala, LTTE military wing spokesman Rasiah Illentheriyan simply said "no comment."

The rebel spokesman however claimed that Ramesh and Jeyam were still in the east. In comments published in the Daily Mirror yesterday Illentheriyan claimed the military could have moved into Thoppigala much earlier than it did as he claimed the rebels had withdrawn from the area after a change of strategy.

He also said Thoppigala was not strategically important to the LTTE as claimed by the government.

(http://www.dailymirror.lk/2007/07/14/front/05.asp)