THE country's embattled Army came under heavy criticism yesterday over the removal of its intelligence chief after one of its worst military debacles in recent months.
The director of army intelligence, Brigadier Shantha Kottegoda, was removed from his post two days after separatist Tamil rebels attacked an island east of the Jaffna peninsula on Wednesday.
Sea Tigers killed more than 120 troops and wounded some 40 more in a two-pronged offensive launched on the government military base of Mandaitivu island. But 26 troops, including several officers, are still missing, triggering fears that the military death toll may be higher.
Defence officials estimated that 75 Tiger rebels were killed and scores more wounded, after troops repulsed the seaborne attack by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Military sources said they were baffled by the removal of Brigadier Kottegoda, considering his excellent record. They said he had informed the Joint Forces chiefs of the impending attack four days before the rebels struck.
'Brigadier Kottegoda is being used as a scapegoat by the army top brass. He is one of the most astute officers in the field of intelligence.