World - SriLanka;Grim outlook for LTTE on eve of Hero’s Day

B. Muralidhar Reddy


Significant stage in Wanni liberation operation: Army

Kilinochchi besieged by the military

COLOMBO: On the eve of the Hero’s Day address by LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakaran, the Sri Lankan military on Tuesday claimed to have reached a “significant stage in Wanni liberation operation” by capturing Olumadu in Mullathivu district.

Once considered an LTTE stronghold, Olumadu is located 4 km northeast of Mankulam, along the Mankulam-Mullathivu (A-34) Road in the north. A Defence Ministry statement said after three days of fighting, Task Force-3 soldiers were able to reach the Olumadu and take up “forward dominations”.

“Victorious Sri Lanka Army soldiers are in a mood to take any challenge” that comes in their way in the battlefield, it added.

“The Northeast Monsoon has settled down with torrential rains, but the soldiers are moving forward, fighting the terrorists and the vile weather with equal strength,” it said.

After putting down the massive LTTE counter-offensive on Sunday, the 57th Division and Task Force-1 soldiers are further consolidating their positions on Kilinochchi’s outskirts, said the Ministry. “Soldiers are busy strengthening the supply backbone for troops in the forward areas with loads of food, drinking water and medicine being transported there. The men are well focused to their mission; ‘Kilinochchi we are coming’ is the word that goes around here,” said the Ministry, quoting forces operating in the north.

Key gains


On the basis of intercepted radio transmissions, it was learnt that a senior LTTE leader, “Lieutenant Colonel” Stanley, was killed during a recent battle. The Ministry claimed 53rd Division troops recently captured an LTTE defence line in north of the A-9 Road in Kilaly on Tuesday.

“Scores of LTTE cadre were killed in the attack, defence sources in Kilaly said, citing intercepted terror radio communication channels. In a subsequent search operation conducted in the area, troops have found two T-56 weapons, one RPG launcher and one body armour,” it said.

LTTE ground commanders were sending fighters deployed in other areas to Muhamalai and Kilaly as the military commenced a fresh offensive to break strategically-vital Muhamalai and Kilaly in Jaffna.