Revisiting Sampur
September 02, 2020
On completion of gaining the territory of Mavi-Aru, military wanted its presence on the Sampur land (Southern part of Trincomalee) since it was one of the stronghold of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) posing a severe threat to the Trincomalee Harbour and the Naval assets.
The strategic advantage the LTTE rejoiced in the Sampur was artillery launching at the Naval assets in the Tricomalee Harbour to disrupt the logistics chain maintained to the Northern parts of the island.
LTTE launched malicious artillery attacks at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee in the same epoch had taken the precious lives of few SLN recruits those who were at the parade ground located close to the seashore.
Military commenced its offensive against LTTE’s grip on Sampur on August 27, 2006 following a meticulous study into the territory.
Both Sampur and Kaddaiparichchan were the focal points of the advancing troops.
Kaddaparichchan that lies to the South of Trincomalee, which was remained a stronghold for LTTE artillery and mortar gun positions was brought under complete control of the army soldiers engaged in neutralizing the LTTE artillery and mortar location in Sampur, on Aug 31, 2006.
Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) too had encircled the seas accessing Sampoor area in a bit to thwart potential reinforcement by the sea tiger units.
Sampur in its topography is a dry zone chock-full of sandy topsoil and shrubs everywhere.
The entire land area had been laid with landmines mercilessly even without a room for its habitants.
Following a week long heavy fighting, Sampur fell under the control of security forces on Sep 4, 2006.
Revealingly so-called LTTE fighters had been inadequately trained, unprepared and poorly led by their hierarchy.
Innocent Sinhalese, Tamils and Muslims who fled the original habitats amidst the fight were resettled by the government on completion of the demining process.
