Troops capture Chalai

Security Forces in their final phase to liberate the entire North and Vanni captured the LTTE's last and key sea Tiger base Chalai on Thursday. The LTTE is confined to 172 square kilometres in the Vanni jungle.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said 20 sea Tiger camps were captured by Security Forces and dozens of Sea Tigers were killed.

"Eleven Sea Tiger camps were captured from Silavathurai to Pooneryn disabling the LTTE in the Eastern sea and nine other sea Tiger camps including Chalai were captured in the North from Alampil to Chalai disabling Sea Tiger movement in the Northern sea," he added.

He said civilians were crossing to the safe zone declared by the Security Forces. "A total of 6,320 civilians had reached the cleared area fleeing from the grip of the LTTE since January 2009 to February 6, 2009. Only 1,704 civilians had crossed the uncleared area in 2008," Brigadier Nanayakkara added. RJ