Forces liberate 6,000 civilians in Silavatura

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

SILAVATURA: The Security Forces yesterday completed yet another humanitarian mission liberating nearly 6,000 civilians from the LTTE grip after taking control of Silavatura, Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told the Daily News.

According to the Army Commander troops launched this humanitarian mission on Saturday morning advancing towards Silavatura from Vankalai.

“Troops completed the mission capturing Silavatura by Sunday morning facing least resistance from the LTTE,” Lt. General Fonseka added.

A Sea Tiger base of the LTTE was also captured by the advancing troops by yesterday noon, recovering three boats and one OBM.

According to sources many of the LTTE cadres have fled the area with the advancement of the troops towards Silavatura. Some of them have fled by sea while others retreated towards jungle areas further south of Silavatura.

LTTE political and intelligence leaders in Silavatura were killed whilst they were travelling in a double cab to flee the area and Forces have captured three Tiger cadres alive.

Troops are moving further south of Silavatura in search of Tiger cadres whilst consolidating the area liberated by the troops, the Army Commander added.

Arrangements have been made to provide facilities for civilians arriving in Nannattan and Murunkan.

According to sources from Mannar nearly 4,000 civilians have reached Nannattan area seeking refuge of the Security Forces and the Government Agent in Mannar is attending to the needs of civilians coming to cleared areas.