Navy on Special Rescue Mission in North-eastern Seas: Mass Exodus of Trapped Tamil Civilians, Navy rescues 2167 fleeing in 103 Boats

Naval personnel and vessels have been deployed on a special rescue mission in the North-eastern seas to facilitate the mass exodus of Tamil civilians which began this morning. Sri Lanka Navy has augmented its deployment to assist in the rescue of Tamil civilians who have started arriving in the cleared areas after the valiant Sri Lanka Defence Forces personnel this morning broke through the final barrier that held the innocent captive in the LTTE clutches in the No Fire Zone. Relieved civilians defying the LTTE dictates have emboldened themselves to make the final exit from the cruel terror grip in large numbers.

As at now, Naval Sea Units have rescued 2167 fleeing in 103 boats.  A total of 1965 persons in 92 boats has been escorted into Point Pedro while another 202 persons in 11 boats have been safely brought ashore at Pulmudai. Naval personnel have been busy providing medical assistance, food and refreshments to those who have been brought ashore in a steady stream. The Navy’s rescue mission has been executed with tactical consideration for civilian safety and maximum caution to extricate innocent civilians from the LTTE cadres on the last-ditch rampage. LTTE defences are now in total disarray due to the advancing troops’ heavy onslaught. Remaining LTTE cadres, who have gone berserk from the imminent defeat, have orchestrated several suicide explosions and started shooting indiscriminately  at fleeing civilians.

The exodus of the innocent Tamil civilians escaping from LTTE clutches  has  commenced  due to the confidence they have placed in the Government Security Forces whose humanitarian operations have helped to liberate the Northern province from the LTTE terror. Throughout the Humanitarian Mission, Sri Lanka Navy has kept in place special arrangements to assist innocent Tamil civilians fleeing from the LTTE clutches. Naval personnel and vessels along with stand-by rescue and medical teams have been on special deployment for this humanitarian assistance mission in the North-eastern seas.