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Intensified battles in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: The Sri Lankan military on Friday claimed that scores of LTTE cadre were killed and several injured in intensified battles as the Army continued its bid to capture Kilinochchi. With the onset of monsoon, the fighting had slowed down in recent days. Military sources said with the letup in the monsoon rains, renewed intense fighting had been reported in the north.

Troops of the newly-formed military formation, Task Force 3, advancing from northwest of Mankulam in Kilinochchi towards A-9 main road, confronted the Tiger cadres causing heavy damage to the LTTE, the Ministry said. Troops are continuing their march towards Mankulam with effective military thrust on LTTE, said the military.

Meanwhile, Air Force MI-24 helicopter gunships launched air sorties targeting LTTE “resistance point” observed in north of Nachchikuda Forward Defence Line (FDL) in Kilinochchi. The LTTE point is located 1.2 km north off security forces’ defence line in Nachchikuda, Air Force spokesperson Janaka Nanayakkara said. Air sorties were launched around 6.10 p.m. in support of ground troops of Task Force 1 advancing along to the A-32 road towards Pooneryn.

In the east, two civil security personnel and a policeman who were providing security to paddy farmers in the Ampara District were shot dead by suspected LTTE gunmen on Friday.

As per the military the Tigers opened indiscriminate gun fire at the personnel.

Meanwhile, the pro-LTTE TamilNet charged that the Army at Oamanthai entry point turned the supply lorries away on Thursday, for the third consecutive time, refusing entry for medical supplies and nutritious food for children in Mullathivu .

“The consignment was allocated for the third quarter of 2008. The supplies were not allowed to be taken beyond Oamanthai by the SLA since July. According to the same sources, the normal practice is they get the Ministry of Defence (MoD) clearance to transport medicine beyond Oamanthai annually, but in the recent times the SLA has demanded fresh clearance at Oamanthai on every single trip,” it alleged.

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