Major General Chagi Gallage, the then Commanding Officer of the Army’s Task Force-1 said that Karuna’s cadres were not used at tactical or operational level but they were used to man a withdrawal route after the fall of Vakari.

Major General Gallage, made these comments when a question was raised by an Indian military delegate about the involvement of Karuna’s cadres in the operation conducted in the East, which was Karuna’s stronghold.

The Indian delegation was participating in the second day of the three day seminar, ‘Defeating Terrorism: the Sri Lankan Experience,’ organized by the Sri Lanka Army to share its war experience.

Their expertise was used by the Army to know about the locations of land and bases of the LTTE in the East.

Another question was raised by the delegate whether they were forced to support the government troops, Major General Jagath Dias, the then commanding officer of the 57th Division said that they supported the security forces on a mutual understanding.

Major General Gallage was the commanding officer of the 59th Division in the capture of Mulaithivu during the last phase of the war. His Task Force-1 was instrumental in capturing the LTTE strongholds in Thoppigala, Silavatura and Vakarai.

More than 300 military and civilian delegations from 41 countries and also to share the knowledge in counter terrorism warfare and the humanitarian operation conducted to rescue marooned civilians in LTTE custody. (Supun Dias)