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Key LTTE commander dead

COLOMBO: Pro-LTTE TamilNet website has said that “Brigadier Balraj,” a key commander of the LTTE died due to a heart attack in Vanni. “Brigadier Balraj was the first commander of the conventional fighting formation, Charles Antony Brigade, established in 1991.

“He served as a key commander in major operations, including the operation on the Army garrison in Elephant Pass in 2000. The leadership has announced a national mourning for three days from May 21,” it said.

The website said Balraj had heart surgery in Singapore in 2003 during the Cease Fire Agreement and was hospitalised three months ago.

Balraj had engaged fought along the Mannaar and Ma’nalaa’ru fronts, it said.

Sri Lanka’s military on Wednesday claimed at least 23 LTTE cadres were killed and another 26 wounded in clashes with the security forces in Welioya, Mannar, Vavuniya and Muhamalai.

A Defence Ministry statement said on the Welioya front, troops confronted the LTTE in Kuhankankulama, Paliyandankulama, Kuttankulama, Kokkuthuduwai, and north of Janakapura and north of Kiriibbanwewa. Two soldiers were injured in Janakapura area.

“On the Vavuniya front, clashes continued in the Nadunkerni, Nenukkuddikulama, Mullimurippu and Periyamadhu areas and 17 terrorists were killed and nine injured. Two bodies were found following a clash in the Periyamadhu area. Eight soldiers suffered injuries during these clashes,” it said.

In the Jaffna theatre, the Ministry said the Army destroyed 10 bunkers in Muhamalai and injured three LTTE cadres. Four soldiers were injured. Separately, Air Force helicopters launched a “close air-support mission” in Muhamalai, Jaffna.

Wing Commander Andrew Wijesooriya said the helicopters attacked the LTTE’s mortar launching pad and a gathering place located near the security forces’ defence line in Muhamalai.

In another incident, the pedestrian track of the Katugastota railway bridge was damaged due to an explosion on Wednesday.

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