Minister of Power and Energy John Senaviratna met journalist at the Kelanitissa Power Plant in Colombo which was subjected to ariel bombing blamed on the Tamil Tigers on Tuesday night.
The minister said that the damage had been confined to two power generators and the two Tiger planes had to flee without accomplishing their objectives.
“The attack will not interrupt powers supplies” said Minister John Senaviratna.
The minister said that security precautions had been taken as the power station had been classified as a key strategic point.
“The power station had a contingent of about two thousand Army personal and anti aircraft guns were in place"said Minister Senaviratna.
Major General Ranjith Soysa Defence consultant at the power plant said that as a result of anti air craft guns opening fire at the planes the Tiger planes could not get close to their targets.
Shock
A trade unionist on duty said that all the staff joined in with the fire brigade in extinguishing the fire and within a hour the fire was put off.
S.A Ananda, Assistant Secretary of the technical staff union said that he was on duty when the attack took place.
“A bomb fell on to a generator close to where I was on duty and I immediately switched off the power supply” said Ananda.
He said that three cooling fans have been damaged in the generator close to him and a second generator in another section of the power plant had also been damaged.
Ananda said that a colleague at the power plant who lost consciousness due to shock died after being admitted to the hospital.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Jeyapuram, Akkrayankulam tank bund, 12 km defences fall to Army:
Nachchikuda: The 58 Division troops operating in the western edge of the Kilinochchi district yesterday kept the momentum of their speedy advance into Tiger held territory completely capturing the Jeyapuram village the last village in the Western part of Kilinochchi district and the 12 km long LTTE defence line south of Nachchikuda.
Troops of the 57 Division also made a major breakthrough yesterday capturing a 1.5 Km long heavily fortified Akkrayankulam tank bund further clearing their path towards Akkarayan village and Kilinochchi, Military sources said.
“With the capture of the Nachchikuda LTTE defence line and the Akkarayankulam tank bund the troops of the 57 Division and 58 division are now in full control of the LTTE defence line from Nachchikuda on the A-32 road to A-9 road in the South of Kilinochchi and in strong position to further advance into the LTTE held areas,” a senior Army official told the Daily News.
“They are now dominating the nearly 30 Km long LTTE defence line whilst 58 Division has advanced more than seven Kilometers from this earth bund”, the official added.
The troops of the 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva captured the entire Jeyapuram village located in the west of Mannar Pooneryn A-32 road in the north east of Nachchikuda by 1 p.m yesterday dealing a severe blow on the LTTE cadres operating there and making a dent in LTTE operations in Nachchikuda.
“With these advances, Nachchikuda has been totally surrounded by the troops and is poised to fall under the control of the troops soon,” the official added.
The LTTE strongly held Jeyapuram village located in the North East of Nachchikuda and West of Pandiveddikulam fearing that troops will cut off the A-32 road from the North of Nachchikuda after capturing Jeyapuram village. However, troops were able to isolate this village advancing further northward from the West of Jeyapuram and later hitting the A-32 road from the north of Jeyapuram.
“Troops captured this strategically important village with zero casualties marking a major milestone in their achievements,” Military sources added.
According to military sources troops are also poised to capture Nachchikuda the last fishing village held by the LTTE on the Western coast with the troops continuing pressure on the LTTE heading towards the Nachchikuda earth bund. Earlier on Tuesday evening troops cut off supply routes
to Nachchikuda after the capture of a four way junction on the 16th Mile Post on the A-32 in the general area of Pallawarayankaddu. The LTTE lost the ground links between the Nachchikuda and Vallaipadu a major Sea Tiger base in the Western coast with the capture of the four way junction.
The 58 Division which began its advance from Vavuniya- Mannar road under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva advanced up to Mulangavil and faced the challenge of crossing the huge earth bund constructed from Nachchikuda to Akkarayankulam and effectively faced this challenge after capturing the earth bund from Karambakulam area.
“The capture of Jeyapuram and the isolation of Nachchikuda are direct results of the strategic moves by the 58 Division troops with the capture of this earth bund from Karambakulam,” the official added.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
COLOMBO: The LTTE failed in its attempt to cause heavy damage to the Kelanitissa power station on Tuesday night in an air attack, Power and Energy Minister John Seneviratne said.
The aircraft dropped two bombs at the Kelanitissa power station and caused minor damage to the FIAT (GT7) gas turbine power generator and Combined Cycle power machine on Tuesday at 11.30 pm.
“It was an abortive mission. The Kelanitissa power station is a vital installation and we produce power for the entire Colombo city.
The LTTE attempt to create a disaster was foiled by the Security Forces resistance to the LTTE air craft,” Minister Seneviratne remarked.
The Minister observed that the Security Forces had informed the CEB authorities and the security was on alert previously on any possible LTTE air raid that could target the Kelanitissa power station.
“Following the instructions of the Security Forces the CEB disconnected the power supply to the Colombo city 30 minutes before the attack,” he said.
He said the GT7 machine was slightly damaged and the Combined Cycle generator was completely safe. “The LTTE dropped two bombs and one of them had fallen on the roof of the GT7 plant location and caused minor damage.
The latter was dropped at the Combined Cycle generator location. The turbine was safe but the machines surrounding it were dislodged or partly damaged due to fire,” he added.
However, Minister Seneviratne said that there won’t be any obstacle for producing power and supplying electricity in the future. “The GT7 machine was used as a spare machine which can produce 110 MW. This machine had been used when there is a necessity or requirement. This machine can be repaired in Sri Lanka and it will take for six months. Since it is a spare machine used on requirement, the CEB will purchase a new machine in the near future”, he said.
Power Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said there is no major impact from the LTTE attack targeting the Kelanitissa power station.
Around 530 MW is produced at the Kelanitissa power plant and the GT7 was producing only 110 MW.
Air Force Spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said an LTTE light air craft deployed Northeast of Mannar dropped three bombs near the Thalladi army camp on Tuesday at around 10.20pm and dropped two other bombs at the Kelanitissa power station at around 11.30pm.
“No major damages were reported at the both locations. The airborne defence radar intercepted the LTTE movement and took precautionary measures to avoid any casualties or damages,” he told the Daily News.
The LTTE light air craft which entered Colombo faced a barrage of anti aircraft fire by the Air Force, Navy and army from the Kelani river, Colombo Port and the Air Force base.
“Facing heavy resistance the LTTE light wing air craft dropped two bombs at the Kelanitissa power plant. The LTTE may have aimed at a major target but due to the heavy retaliatory attack it could not create a disaster”, Wing Commander Nanayakkara pointed out.
One Kelanitissa employee had died after the attack possibly as a result of shock.
Thursday, 30 October 2008
Jeyapuram, Akkrayankulam tank bund, 12 km defences fall to Army:
Nachchikuda: The 58 Division troops operating in the western edge of the Kilinochchi district yesterday kept the momentum of their speedy advance into Tiger held territory completely capturing the Jeyapuram village the last village in the Western part of Kilinochchi district and the 12 km long LTTE defence line south of Nachchikuda.
Troops of the 57 Division also made a major breakthrough yesterday capturing a 1.5 Km long heavily fortified Akkrayankulam tank bund further clearing their path towards Akkarayan village and Kilinochchi, Military sources said.
“With the capture of the Nachchikuda LTTE defence line and the Akkarayankulam tank bund the troops of the 57 Division and 58 division are now in full control of the LTTE defence line from Nachchikuda on the A-32 road to A-9 road in the South of Kilinochchi and in strong position to further advance into the LTTE held areas,” a senior Army official told the Daily News.
“They are now dominating the nearly 30 Km long LTTE defence line whilst 58 Division has advanced more than seven Kilometers from this earth bund”, the official added.
The troops of the 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva captured the entire Jeyapuram village located in the west of Mannar Pooneryn A-32 road in the north east of Nachchikuda by 1 p.m yesterday dealing a severe blow on the LTTE cadres operating there and making a dent in LTTE operations in Nachchikuda.
“With these advances, Nachchikuda has been totally surrounded by the troops and is poised to fall under the control of the troops soon,” the official added.
The LTTE strongly held Jeyapuram village located in the North East of Nachchikuda and West of Pandiveddikulam fearing that troops will cut off the A-32 road from the North of Nachchikuda after capturing Jeyapuram village. However, troops were able to isolate this village advancing further northward from the West of Jeyapuram and later hitting the A-32 road from the north of Jeyapuram.
“Troops captured this strategically important village with zero casualties marking a major milestone in their achievements,” Military sources added.
According to military sources troops are also poised to capture Nachchikuda the last fishing village held by the LTTE on the Western coast with the troops continuing pressure on the LTTE heading towards the Nachchikuda earth bund. Earlier on Tuesday evening troops cut off supply routes
to Nachchikuda after the capture of a four way junction on the 16th Mile Post on the A-32 in the general area of Pallawarayankaddu. The LTTE lost the ground links between the Nachchikuda and Vallaipadu a major Sea Tiger base in the Western coast with the capture of the four way junction.
The 58 Division which began its advance from Vavuniya- Mannar road under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva advanced up to Mulangavil and faced the challenge of crossing the huge earth bund constructed from Nachchikuda to Akkarayankulam and effectively faced this challenge after capturing the earth bund from Karambakulam area.
“The capture of Jeyapuram and the isolation of Nachchikuda are direct results of the strategic moves by the 58 Division troops with the capture of this earth bund from Karambakulam,” the official added.