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Another LTTE base falls to advancing Sri Lankan Army

— PHOTO: AFP

High alert: Soldiers man a security checkpoint in Colombo on Monday.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Monday claimed to have captured another LTTE base west of the A-9 Main Road in the Mankulama area in Mullathivu district.

A Defence Ministry statement said soldiers surrounded the area, engaging LTTE positions with indirect fire and cut off a stretch of the Mankulama-Oddusudan Road. “LTTE terrorists have sustained heavy damages as fighting broke out between at the northern lines of control at Pallai, Muhamalai and Nagarkovil since dawn on Saturday,” it claimed. LTTE elements were pushed further south due to the assaults launched by the 53rd and 55th Division troops, positioned north and south of the A-9 Road. Citing intercepted communication, the military said the LTTE cadre were left in total disarray as the Air force pounded LTTE artillery and mortar launch-pads.

“[The] Army has also deployed the mechanised infantry battalion in support of the rear defences. Sources reporting from the non-liberated area said the LTTE has sent experienced fighters to lead the disorganised terrorist elements in vain, to prolong the military advance,” said the Ministry.

Pro-LTTE TamilNet, in a report, claimed the military launched another offensive for the third consecutive day from Jaffna. Eight soldiers were killed and 29 wounded when the LTTE put up “stiff resistance,” thwarting a three-pronged attack on LTTE Forward Defence Lines in Mukamaalai, Ka’ndal and Ki’laai, it said. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa gave a one-year service extension to Army chief Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.

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