Fall of Sea Tiger base imminent

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

MANNAR: Fierce fighting continued yesterday south and east of Vidathalthivu as the 58 Division troops and Commando troops surrounded the biggest Sea Tiger base on the Western coast, in North Mannar as the LTTE cadres struggled to defend this tactically important Sea Tiger Base which they controlled for the last two decades.

The troops continued the military thrust on the Sea Tiger base surrounding it from the south and west directions and cutting off all supply routes leading to Vidathalthivu, ground sources told the Daily News last night.

“The LTTE had vacated some locations in Vidathalthivu by last evening as they felt the area was being surrounded by the troops,” Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka told the Daily News.

The Army Commander was confident that the entire Sea Tiger base would fall to the troops by Wednesday afternoon.

The troops attached to 58 Division engaged in a major thrust on the Vidathalthivu Sea Tiger base from the south while Commando troops supported by infantry troops attached to the 582 Brigade advanced into the area from the Eastern direction.

Ground sources also said that many Tiger cadres started fleeing further north of Vidathalthivu after loading their belongings into trucks as troops advanced into the territory.

Ground sources also confirmed that heavy damage has been caused to the LTTE as the fleeing Tiger cadres were targeted by long range artillery guns of the Security Forces.

Troops have also been able to capture a section of A-32 road during these confrontations further advancing from 12th Mile post.

The troops attached to the 58 division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva continued the military thrust on the Vidathalthivu Sea Tiger base after completely capturing the Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’ area.