Sri Lanka Army says investigations into a recent LTTE gas attack on advancing troops in the Wanni had found that the Tigers had used ‘CS gas’, which is generally used for anti-hijack or hostage operations.
Army headquarters, in a statement, acknowledged that a few soldiers in the Wanni during their encounters with the LTTE in the most recent past developed breathing difficulties following emission of gas, believed to have been directed by the Tigers towards the advancing troops.
“Investigations which went into the incident soon after admission of those soldiers to hospitals have affirmed Tiger terrorists have used CS gas, generally used for anti-hijack or hostage operations in Wanni. Produced in 1928, the name CS gas came to be known after the death of its founders Ben Corson and Roger Staughton,” the Army said.
The statement further asserted that the Sri Lanka Army is fully equipped and well geared up to face any chemical or gas attacks of the enemy. The army while reiterating its capacity to challenge any such threats in the future said it has already distributed gas masks among the troops fighting in the Wanni.
It is also noted that use of any chemical or gas in the warfare goes against UN stipulated Conventions and worldwide accepted norms.
As reported in the Daily Mirror yesterday the government had put in place contingency plans for a possible chemical attack by the LTTE against the security forces fighting in the North.
Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, had, instructed officials to immediately dispatch extra health staff, medicines and equipment to the North to face any contingencies that may arise in the event of a chemical attack on security forces.
The decision was taken following a discussion held at the ministry and chaired by Mr. De Silva, to draft a contingency plan in the event of a chemical attack on the armed forces.
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