LTTE using Madhu statue as tactical ploy

Rafik Jalaldeen

COLOMBO: The LTTE is using the statue of Our Lady of Madhu as a tactical ploy to obtain propaganda mileage with the Security Forces eventually closing in on them in the Wanni, Defence Spokesman Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said.

"The Madhu statue was smuggled into the dense jungle of the LTTE controlled area, 70kms away from the Madhu church," the Minister said adding that they had reliable information that the Tigers were planning to use the statue to cramp the military thrust of the Forces.

Addressing the weekly Defence news briefing at the MCNS yesterday, Minister Rambukwella said when the Security Forces liberated the Madhu area in 1999, not the slightest damage was reported to the church or the statue.

"The Security Forces liberated the North, East and South of the Madhu area except the Western corner where the Madhu church was located and this place is considered as a sacred area," he added.

Advancing Security Forces are launching offensive attacks to liberate the Madhu area and the fleeing Tiger cadres had smuggled the Madhu statue 70km into the LTTE dominated areas.

"We have reliable intelligence information that fleeing LTTE cadres moved the Madhu statue inside dense jungle extending over 70km away from its place of origin. The LTTE may take the statue further in as a tactic to carry out their propaganda against the Security Forces in future when troops launch humanitarian operations to liberate the area from the grip of the LTTE," Minister Rambukwella pointed out.

He said: " LTTE atrocities were on the rise. This is a matter concerning our national heritage. The International community should open their eyes to this issue. The statue should be brought to a safer place as it is considered a national treasure. Madhu is a sacred place venerated by all communities without any religious divisions."

More - Defence column