“Our soldiers have suffered enough for more than thirty years. They are still spending sleepless nights to protect the people in Jaffna. As the Commander Security Forces – Jaffna (SF-J), I will never ever allow my soldiers or the Police to suffer anymore at the hands of unlawful gangsters,” said Jaffna Commander Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe addressing a gathering of local media representatives at the Civil Affairs and Public Relations Office, Hospital Road, Jaffna.
This Media briefing was held in order to enlighten the public on the status quo regarding security developments that arose two days back in Jaffna associated with the alleged presence of a ‘grease devil’ in the area.
The violence erupted on Monday (22) night in Muslim-inhabited Navanthurai area over rumours that spoke of the presence of a ‘grease devil’. Police with assistance of the Army brought the situation under control using minimum power and arrested 102 goons who had apparently provoked around 500 people against an Army sentry point.
“We have a clear mandate here to protect the people and their property. As members of a disciplined Army, we never allow anyone to take the law into their hands and attack the Police or Security Forces or to serve the ulterior motives of frustrated war-mongers and criminals,” the Commander said.
He further added that those who carry clubs, stones, swords, knives, sand and petrol-filled bottles to attack defenders of law could be branded as terrorists and no mercy would be shown towards them.
Mr. Nevil Pathmaddeva, Senior Superintendent of Police for Jaffna who had rushed to the scene said that the people in the affected area confirmed to the Police that the Army has been providing many services to them for their daily work. They told that the Army provides loud speakers for their weddings, tents, water and everything possible.”
“Then comes the question; who wanted to provoke the people against such friendly soldiers,” SSP questioned. “People knew that the Army would never harm them even if they intruded the camp carrying clubs and petrol bottles. That was why they broke into the camp alleging that the Army was keeping one “grease devil” in their hiding. Even a Police jeep does not enter an Army camp without permission,” the SSP remarked.
Four Policemen sustained injuries and two Police vehicles received damages in the mob violence. Police arrested 102 gangsters and released two A/L students who were among them on compassionate grounds.
General Officer Commanding 51 Division Major General Janaka Walgama joining the briefing queried whether the so-called “grease devil” had either harmed anyone or the Police had received any complaint to this effect.
“The majority in this peninsula has the contact number of the Jaffna Commander. They contact him for even trivial matters. They use those numbers to get consolation for their grievances. Then, what made them not to contact the SF Commander over this particular incident?” Maj. Gen. Walgama questioned.
He further said that soldiers are spending sleepless nights throughout to protect Jaffna and its people while nearly 600,000 people are sleeping comfortably without any fear. Why should people suffer any more at the hands of any unlawful goons?, he asked.
Alhaj A.H. Jamal Mohideen, President Jaffna / Kilinochchi Muslim Federation told the media gathering that Muslims were observing Ramzan these days. “This is not typical of any Muslims’ behaviour in general. We want to live in harmony with Tamils. Only a few are involved in these violent activities,” he further said.
Thanking all media personnel for their presence at the press briefing SF-J Commander concluded saying, “Some people might say that the presence of the Army is too much in Jaffna. But the very same people have forgotten that we are serving people at their request. But, please remember, minimizing of the Army presence in Jaffna is decided by higher authorities, and not by any parties with vested interests. That will be done at the right time,”
DIG Mr. Neil Daluwatta, Brigadier General Staff SF-J Brig. B.C.J.A.F. Rodrigo, HQI Jaffna Police Station Mr. Saman Sigera and representatives from the Muslim community in Jaffna were also present.
This Media briefing was held in order to enlighten the public on the status quo regarding security developments that arose two days back in Jaffna associated with the alleged presence of a ‘grease devil’ in the area.
The violence erupted on Monday (22) night in Muslim-inhabited Navanthurai area over rumours that spoke of the presence of a ‘grease devil’. Police with assistance of the Army brought the situation under control using minimum power and arrested 102 goons who had apparently provoked around 500 people against an Army sentry point.
“We have a clear mandate here to protect the people and their property. As members of a disciplined Army, we never allow anyone to take the law into their hands and attack the Police or Security Forces or to serve the ulterior motives of frustrated war-mongers and criminals,” the Commander said.
He further added that those who carry clubs, stones, swords, knives, sand and petrol-filled bottles to attack defenders of law could be branded as terrorists and no mercy would be shown towards them.
Mr. Nevil Pathmaddeva, Senior Superintendent of Police for Jaffna who had rushed to the scene said that the people in the affected area confirmed to the Police that the Army has been providing many services to them for their daily work. They told that the Army provides loud speakers for their weddings, tents, water and everything possible.”
“Then comes the question; who wanted to provoke the people against such friendly soldiers,” SSP questioned. “People knew that the Army would never harm them even if they intruded the camp carrying clubs and petrol bottles. That was why they broke into the camp alleging that the Army was keeping one “grease devil” in their hiding. Even a Police jeep does not enter an Army camp without permission,” the SSP remarked.
Four Policemen sustained injuries and two Police vehicles received damages in the mob violence. Police arrested 102 gangsters and released two A/L students who were among them on compassionate grounds.
General Officer Commanding 51 Division Major General Janaka Walgama joining the briefing queried whether the so-called “grease devil” had either harmed anyone or the Police had received any complaint to this effect.
“The majority in this peninsula has the contact number of the Jaffna Commander. They contact him for even trivial matters. They use those numbers to get consolation for their grievances. Then, what made them not to contact the SF Commander over this particular incident?” Maj. Gen. Walgama questioned.
He further said that soldiers are spending sleepless nights throughout to protect Jaffna and its people while nearly 600,000 people are sleeping comfortably without any fear. Why should people suffer any more at the hands of any unlawful goons?, he asked.
Alhaj A.H. Jamal Mohideen, President Jaffna / Kilinochchi Muslim Federation told the media gathering that Muslims were observing Ramzan these days. “This is not typical of any Muslims’ behaviour in general. We want to live in harmony with Tamils. Only a few are involved in these violent activities,” he further said.
Thanking all media personnel for their presence at the press briefing SF-J Commander concluded saying, “Some people might say that the presence of the Army is too much in Jaffna. But the very same people have forgotten that we are serving people at their request. But, please remember, minimizing of the Army presence in Jaffna is decided by higher authorities, and not by any parties with vested interests. That will be done at the right time,”
DIG Mr. Neil Daluwatta, Brigadier General Staff SF-J Brig. B.C.J.A.F. Rodrigo, HQI Jaffna Police Station Mr. Saman Sigera and representatives from the Muslim community in Jaffna were also present.
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