Army ousts LTTE from Jaffna

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

*Civilian influx to liberated areas

*Division 55 reaches Chundikulam

*Troops Capture five Sea-Tiger bases

*Troops closing in on Visuamadu

Civilians started pouring into the cleared areas in Kilinochchi and Jaffna as troops took full control of the Jaffna peninsula by yesterday noon with the troops of the 55 Division reaching Chundikulam in the southernmost border of the peninsula, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the ‘Daily News’.

A total of 655 civilians, the largest number of civilians reached Security Forces controlled areas within a single day, arrived in the general areas of Kevil and Murusamudai from midnight on Tuesday the Brigadier added.

These people are provided medical treatment, temporary shelter, food, water and other needs by the Army. They were later handed over to Government officials in Jaffna to be directed to welfare centres in the Jaffna town under the supervision of the District Secretary.

A total of 333 people who reached Kevil are in the Jaffna peninsula and another 322 people reached the Murusamudai area under the control of 58 Division in the East of Paranthan, the Brigadier added.

“Many of these civilians walked into Security Forces controlled areas after escaping from the LTTEs grip whilst a group of 47 people reaching Murusamudai area in a boat from the lagoon in the East of Elephant Pass”, Brigadier Nanayakkara added.

“There will be a sharp increase in the number of civilians arriving in the Security Forces controlled areas as troops are fast moving into Dharmapuram and Vattakachchi areas where the LTTE is holding a large number of civilians”, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

Meanwhile, troops of the 55 Division under the command of Brigadier Prasanna Silva reached the edge of the Jaffna peninsula by yesterday noon to reach Chundikulam area in the Mullaitivu district completely taking the Jaffna peninsula under Security Forces control.

The 55 Division has advanced 40 Km from the Nagar Kovil defence line in the Eastern edge of the Jaffna peninsula capturing five Sea Tiger bases in Mamunai, Thalai Adi, Vathurayan, Vettilaikerni and Chundikulam.

According to military sources troops of the 55 Division have recovered more than 400 Anti Personnel Mines yesterday alone as they are marching through mine fields.

“The 55 Division is now operating 20 Km North of Mullaitivu in the northern border of the Mullaitivu district”, sources added.

The 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva is also advancing further Eastward as they are now passing Dharmapuram and closing in on Visuamadu.

“Fierce fighting erupted in the Dharmapuram area during the past few days with troops discovering a number of Tiger bodies and weapons”, sources added.