Forces overrun Tiger FDLs in Kilali, Muhamalai

Troops advancing towards LTTE’s third FDL

In full control of Mankulam-Oddusuddan road

RANIL WIJAYAPALA and RAFIK JALALDEEN

The LTTE defence line in Kilali and Muhamalai came under Security Forces’ control as 53 and 55 Divisions operating in the Jaffna front advanced and captured the Tiger defence line some 600 metres ahead of the Forces’ defences yesterday, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said.

The 53 Division under the command of Brigadier Kamal Goonaratne and 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva commenced the operation in the early hours of yesterday and captured the Tiger defence line hours after they launched the operation, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

“There was less resistance from the LTTE compared to earlier occasions and they are in the verge of withdrawing from the area as troops captured Tiger defences”, the spokesman added.

According to battlefront sources troops were consolidating their positions in the captured areas and are poised to advance further southwards opening the gateways for the troops to march towards the southern part of the Jaffna peninsula to link up with the troops of the 58 Division who had advanced towards the South of Elephant Pass.

“Troops are advancing towards the LTTE’s third line located in Palai area which is a kilometre away from the present position,” a senior military official told the Daily News.

The LTTE operating in Jaffna is entrapped between two fronts, Muhamalai from the North and Elephant Pass in the south and having links with the southern part only through the road leading through the Eastern coast of the Jaffna peninsula.

According to military sources the LTTE had shifted many of their military assets in the Jaffna front as 58 Division troops were capturing key Paranthan junction at the dawn of this year.

“The LTTE artillery threat to the advancing troops have reduced drastically by yesterday’s operation and they are resisting the advancing troops with their mortars”, military officials added.

According to Brigadier Nanayakkara troops in the Muhamalai front should advance some 20 km to the south along the A-9 Road to link up with the 58 Division troops operating in the South of Elephant Pass.

The 58 Division was in the process of consolidating their positions in the South of Elephant Pass as of yesterday after they captured the area on Monday.

Meanwhile, troops of Task Force III under the command of Brigadier Satyapriya Liyanage operating in the East of Olumadu and Task Force IV troops under the command of Colonel Nishantha Wanniarachchi operating in the Oddusuddan area linked up taking the full control of the A-34 road from Mankulam to Oddusuddan.

“The Task Force IV is now advancing towards the East of Oddusuddan towards Mulliyavali and Thanniuttu in the west of Mullaitivu to take the full control of the A-34 road from Mankulam to Thanniuttu”, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

The 59 Division troops have also made a major breakthrough in their march towards Mullaitivu in the west and northwest of Mullaitivu capturing a number of LTTE defence lines, the Brigadier added.

“The 59 Division troops are operating in the western edges of the Nanthikadal lagoon”, the Brigadier added.