Lankan Army suspends two top commanders for Vanni debacle

COLOMBO, NOV 14: Two top Sri Lankan field commanders have been suspended pending inquiry into their role in the recent military debacle against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam LTTE in which the army lost six key towns in northern Vanni.

Defence officials here today confirmed reports that a major general and a brigadier were placed under suspension and ordered to face the court of inquiry appointed by the chief of army to investigate into the conduct of many officers and men who were alleged to have deserted their positions in the face of heavy counter attacks from rebels.

After losing a number of key towns and garrisons in the last two weeks, the government has replaced six top officials of the northern command and appointed new officers to regroup its forces.

The Sri Lankan army has officially acknowledged that 101 soldiers were killed and 122 others missing in the attacks. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam lost around 120 cadre.