Total number arriving in Govt controlled areas tops 111,000:

Another 2,000 civilians rescued

Ranil Wijayapala

The 58 Division troops engaged in the mission of rescuing the remaining civilians inside the 'No Fire Zone' captured Valayamadam rescuing nearly 2,000 civilians yesterday bringing the total number of civilians rescued by the troops to 111,000 as of yesterday, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told the Daily News.

The 58 Division troops, Commandos and Special Forces troops have on Sunday taken full control of Valayamadam located six kilo metres North of Vellamullivaikkal, the last terrain held by the LTTE inside the 'No Fire Zone'. With the capture of Valayamadam the LTTE has been restricted to a narrow six km stretch in Kariyamullivaikkal and Vellamullivaikkal where the LTTE continues to keep thousands of civilians under its detention.

According to Brigadier Nanayakkara, 23 Tiger cadres also surrendered to the Army as troops advanced into Valayamadam yesterday.

Civilians are now reaching the military controlled areas in the 'No Fire Zone' from the beach front.

With the capture of Valayamadam the troops attached to 58 Division commenced advancing further south of the No Fire Zone amidst stiff resistance from the LTTE, a senior military official added. According to military sources 40 terrorist were confirmed killed and 35 wounded during the troops advance in to Valayamadam.