"Tamil Eelam National Auxiliary Force"

“Operation Thavalai”

1993, Monday 1st November many sections of the Mullaitivu district were called to the Manalaaru camp.
The commander arrived at the camp at 6.30 pm on Tuesday the 2nd. After a few minutes of discussion the teams split up. Everyone knew they were going to get into a fight. However, no one knew just where and when.

“Whatever problems we have, we will come here and talk about them. Until then, be patient, do the assigned work and preserve the pride of the Mullaitivu district and the name of our forces,” our district commander said.

The raindrops began to fall. We all wanted to get rid of memories from our homes. A big pot from the kitchen came to the area where our team was. That was the drum. All began to sing. There was no one who did not know how to sing. Everyone became a singer. Revolutionary songs, philosophical songs, devotional songs all came and went. It was moving into a night of sadness and happiness. No hunger, no sleep, it was 11.30 pm and the commander who had gone out had come back. We learned from the commander that the rain, which had begun to drizzle, was now pouring fast.

“Have you all eaten?”, he asked kindly. Everyone answered “yes” but I know that many did not eat. Everyone knew that death was unavoidable if a fight broke out. But it is clear that our freedom fighters will not allow us to die in vain. No one went into the habit of eating though. After a few minutes of discussing the rules it was said: “Everyone into the van.” We ran and climbed. One by one all the vehicles started to depart. The journey continued through the darkness. After a while everyone knew the fact that we were leaving our district.

Our vehicles were running in the jungle where there was no people. Everyone seemed to be questioning each other. Many already knew the route because they knew where we were going. Even though everyone were silent. It was very quiet that night.

The next day at 9.00 am. We all got together. Mannar District Commander talked with us. “I know what you are called to do. You have to make us another task until your working day comes. That too is a responsible task. That is the job of cooking. This is a new place for you. Do not go outside. We are confident that you will give your full support to our success and we can start the cooking process this evening”, he said.

It was clear to everyone that the fight and goal is the the Poonakary army camp attack. Although the question of why they brought us here out of our district once appeared in everyone’s mind, the next moment it disappeared. We were not only proud to have participated in the Battle of Mannar Area (Mullaithivu District), we thought it would also make the people of Tamil Eelam aware. More than this we were in joy of having come to the fight to free the homeland of our beloved leader. We all knew how glad he would be of our help to this fight and goal.

The fight will start immediately. We thought we could return home in a day or two. When I looked at the cooking stuff, I knew it would last for four to five days. Both new teams were coming in every day. The amount of cooking increased accordingly. We had to plan and start cooking from the morning of the 8th, we split into four teams and started cooking. The continuous cooking was a bit tiring. But when we think of the intense training that our fighters undertook for two – three months, day and night, our tiredness went away. New fighters came, we all share each other’s experiences, and all our memories of home flied away.

On Tuesday morning, 09.11.1993, Senior Commander Sornam and our District Commander arrived. Our continuing hard work made them happy and after encouraging discussing with us they left and said they would meet us again tomorrow. We all expected the fight to start tomorrow. Because the final steps were being taken. Many of us had the flu because of the constant fires and the lack of good water for bathing. Many went to bath in the nearby forest where rainwater was like a bond. In the forest there were some fruit trees. For two days we had these fruit as our food.

On Wednesday morning, October 10, 1993, we were given a break from cooking. Teams were adjusted except for patients. On the night of the 9th several fighters from several teams arrived from Vavuniya and Kilinochchi districts. After breakfast Sornam brother and our district commander arrived. Sornam brother gave us advices and listened to us.

“Tonight we are going to attack and destroy the Poonakary military base. There is no doubt that victory in this attack is ours. There are up to two thousand soldiers in this barracks, including a colonel. The fight may last for a day or two or even three day. But the victory is ours! We would have beaten and wounded. You have to take the wounded soldiers and the military weapons from army with you immediately. You do not need to get into a fight. The required players are there for that. All you have to do is get the military equipment and our wounded soldiers out fast.

You do not have to go long with this equipments, there will be vehicles in there too. Arrangements have been made for hundreds of tractors to come inside. You are going to drive them too. This victory will show the next step to our liberation. The Tigers have been strangled. We have destroyed them – this is what the Singhalese government will say. We have to show our strength to the Sri Lankan government! You all have to show the same strength as you did at the battle in Mankindi army camp. Will you do that?” Everyone said loud “YES!” “Can we trust you and go up the ladder?” Will you hold the ladder strongly?” “YES!”, everyone screamed.

The march began at 4.45 pm. It started raining at 6 pm. The sky was pouring down like never before. We were running towards the camp. If we wait for the rain to stop we will miss the target. We show many female freedom fighters. These gave us more power and strength. The female fighters was holding heavy weapons and was running so fast. Surely there are no women fighters like these women!

At 10 pm we stopped at places near the army camp. The fields were flooded everywhere. The rain was gone. The nature at that time did it very difficult attacking the army camp. However months training gave us strength. The camp was alive and the Sri Lankan army showed alert by gunfire. This was new for some of us but some fighters was well-known about all these.

It was late night. There was heavy gunfire. I looked at the time. It was 1.35. The army’s gunfire erupted everywhere. Troops threw light bombs in all directions. In a few hours our job started. We began to carry our wounded fighters and survivors. Our fighters were hundreds of times faster than us. Our drivers were running fast and clever. We drove away the pain. All Sinhala Air force operated at full speed. No one was in the mood to consider their attack.
I forget the sleep and sorrows when I saw our fighters strongly engaging in the attack. Tears fell. The fighter laugh and run towards the enemy. It was a heroic game. An adventure full of victories and tragedies.

There was a blood flood going on here to help and free our people. I see the female tigers storming trough the gunfire. What a strength, what a sacrifice. I do not know if to compare these female fighters to the mountain, to the sky or to the sea! I had seen an incomprehensible strange heroism.
The walkie talkies played the success of every battles. Day and night was out of our minds these days.

Nagadevathurai Base and three other bases were all completely destroyed. New battles began at that night to destroy the last camp. That night was a heroic night for our beloved leader. His decision reaches us to this battles and gave us strength to win.

Victory by victory – we ended the battles. With these victories and strength we continued our path to Manalaaru the early morning of the 14th.

”Thirst of Tigers – Thirst of Tamileelam”
– Manalaaru Vijayan
– Fra The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (February 1994) magazine, Thesakkaatru.

இதயபூமி-1 இராணுவ நடவடிக்கையின் வெற்றிக்கு உயிர்தந்த பதின்மர் – 3