Navy fires new salvo at SLMM
Amidst the dispute over the role of the SLMM chief in ceasefire monitoring, the Navy has fired another salvo at the monitors.

It came when Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, Director General of Operations warned that repeated Tiger guerrilla ceasefire violations at sea may compel the Navy to resort to retaliatory action as provided for in the Rules of Engagement. He said this course in "self defence" might lead to "serious consequences".

The immediate provocation for a terse complaint addressed to "Head of Missions" of the SLMM was an incident at sea on October 24. Six logistics vessels and ten attack craft of the LTTE had conducted manoeuvres including live firing exercises off the coast of Mullaitivu around 9.30 am.

It was on October 24 when Sri Lanka Navy patrol craft were cruising some 6 to 7 kilometres off the Mullaitivu coast. In a move to frighten the Navy patrol, the guerrillas are alleged to have opened fire at close quarters. The Navy patrol had thereafter diverted coast to avoid confrontation.

The Navy said this was not the first time such acts had been carried out by the Tiger guerrillas at sea. Until last Monday there had been 36 such occasions. Rear Admiral Weerasekera urged the SLMM to raise the issue with the guerrilla leadership and request them to adhere to the Ceasefire Agreement.

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