Mavil Aru
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8°15′29″N 81°16′12″E / 8.257942°N 81.269985°E
The Mavil Aru (Mother River) is a waterway that supplies water to some regions of eastern Sri Lanka. The closing of the sluice gates is considered to be the official beginning of the Eelam War IV although violence including skirmishes and bombings happened before.[1]
Importance during Sri Lankan Civil War
On July 26, 2006, during a ceasefire period, the
With the initiation of 'Operation Watershed', the Sri Lanka Armed Forces undertook to wipe out the LTTE. According to Gen. Sarath Fonseka, it was the correct place to start off the military battle to destroy the LTTE.The armed forces launched air strikes with the aim of capturing the waterway and sluice-gates. On August 11, 2006, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces announced that they had gained full control of the sluice gates of the reservoir.[1]
However the attack was in fact diversion and the LTTE launched an offensive against Government held areas of Trincomalee from land and sea backed by heavy artillery as the newly leased Jetliner transport of the navy was arriving. But a combined force of naval patrolmen, army and police managed to repel the assault and launch a counter-offensive that resulting in the Battle of Sampur. The incident led to the breakdown of talks resulting in the Eastern Theatre of Eelam War IV.[1]
References
- ^ OCLC 865026030.
- ^ Balachandran, P.K. (August 4, 2006). "Tigers help war=-torn Mutur residents". Retrieved February 4, 2021.