The government of Sri Lanka has tightened patrolling along the northwestern coast near the fishing port of Nachchikuda in recent weeks. The stricter patrols are a means of controlling the area to prevent the launch of rebel boats. The fighting Thursday took place there, after a massive offensive earlier in the week from the army. The Tigers have suffered much greater casualties than the armed forces in the most recent bouts of violence. Additionally, the latest efforts by the navy and army have pushed front lines just kilometers away from LTTE headquarters. Clearly the government is serious about preventing any further strikes by the Tigers.

The Sri Lankan government intends to send a message to the Tiger insurgents by quashing these uprisings, and have shown a serious commitment to ensuring power stays in the hands of the majority government. However, of decimating LTTE activity President Mahinda Rajapaksa said, “it will take time.” The president is wise in using his words sparingly, as history has shown that security is hard wrought in Sri Lanka. A quarter century of sparring between the government and LTTE has not resulted in any definitive solution.