A captured LTTE woman has revealed ongoing LTTE attempt to strengthen its frontline positions by deploying hundreds of civilians. She was among four female cadres captured by fighting elements of the Task Force I (TF I) conducting operations at Vallayarkuttirukkumoddai, about four kilometres east of the A 32 (Mannar-Pooneryn road) on Tuesday.

The army identified the informant as 28-year-old Ms Nilaveli, an English teacher who had been coaching Grade 6 to 10 students at the time she joined the LTTE at gun point. Captain Hemantha Dayaratne of the army media told ‘The Island’ that she had graduated from the reputed Kopay College of Education (English Faculty). He said that Ms Nilaweli, while fighting against the army had been drawing a government salary from the Department of Education in Kilinochchi. She had joined the organisation to save her teenage brother and sister from forced conscription, the official quoted the trained teacher as saying.

According to her many of her batch mates joined the LTTE to save their loved ones.

The LTTE facing a severe dearth of trained cadres has forced a large group of public servants including lower grade employees of the Department of Agriculture and local employees of INGOs to resist the army advancing on its strongholds, both east and west of the A9 road.

The LTTE has also deployed over 100 male and female teachers alongside its frontline units now struggling to thwart a relentless army advance.

The LTTE facing a severe dearth of trained cadres has forced a large group of public servants including lower grade employees of the Department of Agriculture and local employees of INGOs to resist the army advancing on its strongholds, both east and west of the A9 road.

The LTTE has also deployed over 100 male and female teachers alongside its frontline units now struggling to thwart a relentless army advance.

Last September, the LTTE thwarted an INGO/UN plan to move several hundred workers out of the LTTE-held territory.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa early this week told a gathering of religious leaders that the army would treat captured terrorists with respect. Addressing them at the Presidential Secretariat, the President revealed the rescue of a female terrorist who was founded wounded by soldiers who overran an enemy position.

Meanwhile, the 57 Division on Tuesday recovered five LTTE bodies along with eight T 56 assault rifles following a confrontation at Valayakudiyiruppumoddai.