Mankulam, Kumulamunai in Forces’ hands

58 Division troops heading to Paranthan:

Ranil WIJAYAPALA and Rafik JALALDEEN

MANKULAM: The Security Forces engaged in the Wanni liberation operation in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts yesterday captured the strategically important Kumulamunai village south of Mullaitivu and the key junction town Mankulam on the A-9 road.

These achievements were made by the 59 Division and the Task Force III troops respectively.

Military sources told the Daily News yesterday Kumulamunai, 10 Km south of Mullaitivu was captured by troops in the early hours of yesterday under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta.

The 7 Gemunu Watch battalion under the command of Lt. Colonel Chaminda Lamahewa and 11 Gemunu Watch Battalion under the command of Lt.Colonel Priyanka Fernando of the 593 Brigade commanded by Colonel Jayantha Gunaratne completely captured the village after a fierce battle with the LTTE. Kumulamunai is the first settlement after the massive Andankulam forest reserve in the south of Mullaitivu. Troops of the 59 Division first entered this strategically important village a week back after crossing a massive open area and capturing a bunker line covering the Thannimurippukulam - Kumulamunai road. Troops of the 593 Brigade in a subsequent operation captured three bodies and an armour plated cab fleeing Kumulamunai, a senior military official told the Daily News.

Troops of the 59 Division also now control the Mulliyavali village west of Kumulamunai and next to the Nagacholai forest reserve, sources added.

Meanwhile, troops of the newly formed Task Force III under the command of the Brigadier Satayapriya Liyanage marked their highest achievement capturing the strategically important key junction town of Mankulam on the A-9 road. Troops of the 631 Brigade under the command of Lt. Colonel Priyantha Perera advanced into the key junction town by yesterday at 2.15 p.m. having cut off the Olumadu junction, on the Mankulam Oddusudan road amidst stiff resistance from the LTTE. Mankulam is key junction on the A-9 road with roads leading to Mullaitivu to the West, Vellankulam to the East, Kilinochchi to the North and Omanthai to the South.

The Security Forces lost control of this key four way junction in 1999 after the Jaya Sikuru operation which aimed at opening a land route to Jaffna.

According the Army sources troops operating in the Omanthai defence line also can link upto Makulam as they have cleared the area north of Omanthai after deploying Commando troops and Special Forces troops. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa last week told the Daily News that the Defence Ministry has already taken the initiative to shift the Omanthai Entry Exit Point to south of Oddusudan after informing the ICRC to find a suitable location for this entry exit point. The capture of Mankulam will lay a solid foundation for the shifting of Omanthai Entry Exit point to the South of Oddusudan, military sources added.

Troops of the 57 Division also captured the Kokavil Rupavahini tower few days back. The 58 Division troops having captured Pooneryn are now heading towards Paranthan.