There would not be a problem if the captured were killed immediately – Defence Secretary

Wednesday, 04 July 2012 

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has reportedly reprimanded Major General Prasanna Silva saying that the failure to follow orders to kill the LTTE activists and leaders who surrendered to the security forces after the Wanni operation had resulted in incidents like last week’s hostage drama at the Vavuniya Prison. The Defence Secretary has said that such incidents would continue to take place creating the impression among the LTTE’s international wing that the organization was still active.

Major General Prasanna Silva commanded the 55th and 59th Brigades during the Wanni operation. The two brigades carried out the ground operation from Muallitivu to the Vettilainkerni beach strip.

The Sea Tiger Leader Shashi Kumar who was captured by the 59th Brigade during the operation had reportedly headed the coup in the Vavuniya Prison last week.

Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has personally directed all unit commanders during the Wanni operation to kill any LTTE activist who surrendered to the security forces or are captured. Therefore, the 53rd Brigade commanded by Major General Kamal Gunaratne who conducted the operation in Ampalaipokkavan in Nandikadal had killed 308 LTTE cadres from the Charles Anthony Brigade who were arrested.

Top level LTTE members were also killed during the Wanni operation and only the ordinary cadres had been handed over to the police. Commander of the 58th Brigade, Major General Shavendra Silva had killed LTTE Leaders like Nadesan and Pulidevan who had tried to surrender carrying white flags during the final stages of the war.

However, Major General Prasanna Silva had not followed the Defence Secretary’s orders and had recorded the arrest of every LTTE members. These LTTE members have been handed over to the Military Police with written and photographic records. Since all LTTE members were handed over to the Military Police after officially recording their arrest none of the LTTEers arrested by his brigade had been killed.