Troops find LTTE musical instruments

Rafik JALALDEEN

Security Forces in the last phase of Vanni battle to liberate the entire Mullaitivu district are making steadfast progress.

They have found an assortment of LTTE musical instruments used by Tiger leaders for entertainment, war like items and administrative appliances in the Udayarkattukulam area.

Troops uncovered eight side drums, two pairs of Tabla, a big melodic, a flute, four audio speakers, discs, a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) tripod, 32 Multi Purpose Machine Gun tripod (MPMG), 250 rounds of (H 37/36 SBY) live ammunition, a hammer drill, eight water pumps, 40 break pads, 20 oil filters, 450 blankets, 40 binding wire rolls, 13 empty gas cylinders, a roller, four computer monitors, two Cannon printers, two sewing machines, a computer UPS, 50 of 6X8 tent clothes, 189 welding sticks, a photo copy machine and a grinder.

The LTTE cadres who are now confined to a mere 45 square km are resisting heavily to hold on to their positions.

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said troops of the 53, 55 and 58 divisions and Task Force VIII are engaged in heavy fighting to liberate the rest of the Mullaitivu district .

"Troops and the Task Force are making speedy advance to liberate the entire Mullaitivu amidst stiff resistance put on by the LTTE leaders", he added.

Troops of the 53 and 58 divisions are advancing towards the East of Puthukudiyiruppu supported by Task Force VIII and troops attached to the 55 division are advancing from Puthumattlan to the South.

"LTTE leaders like Pottu Amman, Vidushan, Lawrence and Soosai are exerting maximum pressure on the Tiger cadres to hold on to their last positions in ground and sea and launch desperate attempts to inflict damages to the Security Forces," Brigadier Nanayakkara told the Daily News.