By Shamindra Ferdinando

The government and the LTTE are in the process of establishing direct communication links between their frontline fighting units deployed in the Jaffna peninsula and reaching a consensus on the deployment of forward observation and listening posts ahead of their respective defence lines to avoid possible ‘confrontations’, authoritative military sources said yesterday.

"We are in the course of reaching an agreement on these issues," the sources said, adding that they discussed the entire range of issues relating to the frontlines in the presence of Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) representatives last Sunday (11). Talks focused on ways and means of avoiding incidents similar to the recent killing of a soldier deployed at a forward observation post in the Muhamalai area, the sources said. The LTTE claimed that they fired at the soldier in self-defence when he shot at a group of cadres.

The LTTE delegation was led by Theepan in charge of the northern sector. Weeramani in charge of Nagarkovil, Arivu in charge of Pallai, Lawrence and Pulithevan of the LTTE Political Wing represented the group at the meeting which took place within the ‘no-man’s zone’ at Muhamalai". Jaffna Security Forces Commander Major General Sarath Fonseka led the army delegation, the sources said.

During the talks, the LTTE delegation has accused frontline troops of deliberately carrying out provocative acts including advances towards the LTTE frontlines and setting up new positions. They have also accused the troops of setting up new defence lines within the ‘no-man’s zone’ at Kilali-Muhamalai-Nagarkovil in the Jaffna theatre. They have also demanded that troops should vacate newly established positions, the sources said.

The SLMM called for the meeting in a bid to iron out differences over deployment of troops and LTTE cadres along their respective Kilali-Muhamalai-Nagarkovil frontlines.

Meanwhile Army Commander Lt. General Lionel Balagalle on Tuesday (13) toured Welikanda, Minneriya and several neighbouring areas where he addressed officers and men. The visit came a day before Brigadier Sumith Balasuriya replaced Major General Sunil Tennakoon as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 23 Division headquarters at Minneriya responsible for deployment of troops in the Batticaloa district among other areas.

Lt. Gen. Balagalle praised officers and men for showing restraint despite a series of provocations by the LTTE. LTTE operatives in the Batticaloa area have targeted soldiers with the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) as well as informants. At least two personnel had been killed and two others abducted over the past two months.

The army chief also stressed the need to ensure smooth implementation of the ceasefire agreement, the sources said adding that Lt. General Balagalle accompanied by the outgoing and incoming GOCs toured villages neighbouring LTTE controlled parts.