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LTTE-held territories captured

COLOMBO: The military on Wednesday claimed it had “captured” 600 km of “LTTE territory,” including Palampiddi, Madu, Vilayathikulam, Kallikulam and Palamodai areas in Mannar district.

Army spokesperson Brigadier Udaya Nayanakkara said the LTTE has retreated to Mallavi and Tharukkui areas, 45 km behind the Army Defence Lines in Mannar. The military was moving towards Wanni, he added.

Brigadier Nayanakkara’s claims suggested that soldiers were engaged in an all-out offensive against the LTTE in the north. In contrast to the military’s high-pitch campaign on the fighting, the LTTE has divulged little information.

A report posted on the LTTE website claimed on Monday that rallies were held in Wanni, Vavuniya and Jaffna to protest against a family’s “massacre” on May 24 in a claymore attack, which was allegedly carried out by the military’s Deep Penetration Unit. The military denied the charge of attack. Two days after the incident, nine people were killed in a train blast, allegedly triggered by the LTTE.

Brigadier Nayanakkara said since May 22 there have been five air-strikes on LTTE targets. Further, the military claimed at least 26 LTTE cadres were killed and 15 injured in fighting along the Forward Defence Lines in the north. Defense spokesperson and Minister, Keheliya Rambukwella, said told the installation of an elected government rattled the LTTE and it was “using disgruntled elements” to incite a violence.

“The government will go to any length to preserve the democratic rights of the people and not hesitate to take stern appropriate action to ensure peace,” he said.

With regard to the case of abduction and assault on journalist Keith Noyahr, Mr. Rambukwella said “investigations are in progress.” A police spokesperson said they have not been able to make much progress in the case as Mr. Noyahr had not given a detailed statement.

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