Troops advance in Akkarayankulam

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

KOKKAVIL: Troops attached to the 57 Division operating on the Vavuniya front yesterday advanced six kilometres east of Akkarayankulam tank amidst heavy resistance from the LTTE further closing towards the Jaffna Kandy A-9 road from the north of Kokkavil, Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Daily News last night.

“Troops are now operating in Murikkandi general area two kilometres west of A-9 road,” Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

According to Brigadier Nanayakkara during yesterday’s confrontations 18 Tiger cadres were killed east of Akkarayankulam. “Three soldiers were killed and nine soldiers injured during these confrontations,” Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

With these advances from the east of Akkarayankulam troops are now closing in to Kilinochchi. They are now operating just five and a half Kilometres south of Kilinochchi town.

As troops attached to the 57 Division are advancing east of Akkarayankulam troops attached to 58 Division are now in the process of capturing the huge earth bund that stands as a major obstacle for the troops advance towards Northwards.

As troops close in on the Kilinochchi town the LTTE is exerting huge pressure on the UN and other International Non Government Organisations operating in Wanni not to heed the ultimatum given by the Government to withdraw from the Wanni by September 20.

UN agencies have asked more time from the Government to withdraw their vehicles and other equipment from Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.

However Disaster Management and Human Rights Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe yesterday insisted that the all INGOs should heed the law of the country hinting that the Government would take legal actions those INGOs not heeding this directive.

Minister Samarasinghe also said that Government machinery is in place in Vavuniya to provide all required facilities for civilians fleeing Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu and arriving in Vavuniya seeking refuge in Government controlled areas.