Tunukkai, Uyilankulam & South of Akkarayankulam Tank Fall under Valiant Troops after 25 Years

THE MUCH-TALKED TERRORIST stronghold, TUNUKKAI, about 20 km west of MANKULAM, one more central connecting village, UYILANKULAM, and also the southern edge of the AKKARAYANKULAM tank, about 12 km to the southwest of KILINOCHCHI town centre were finally brought under government troops as dawn fell on Friday (22) bringing a humiliating defeat for the terror outfit that has been ranked as the most ruthless, the Army Headquarters announced.

This is the first time in the history of the so-called “Eelam War” Sri Lankan troops dominated these areas striking a major blow to the LTTE terrorist outfit which has murdered thousands of innocent civilians, politicians, democrats, intellectuals, statesmen, members of the Armed Forces and the Police.

Agriculturally-rich TUNUKKAI, one of the nerve centres of Tiger outfit was serving as a major administrative hub responsible for coordination of all Sea Tiger attacks, deployment of LTTE terrorists, distribution of armaments, planning of clandestine operations, abduction and evacuation of civilians from different venues, etc for the past few years. This terrorist stronghold became busily operational after the recent fall of notoriously famous Sea Tiger base, VIDATTALTTIVU which was earlier regarded as a “no-entry zone” by Tigers.

UYILANKULAM, another farming village that lies between the southern edge of the AKKARAYANKULAM tank was also dominated by Tigers. It functioned as a secret transit location for their operations, since it is situated quite close to their administrative financial hub, KILINOCHCHI and other important locations.

Read more,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=15455
Map,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080822_04
Video,
SLRC

Govt ready to shelter civilians fleeing Wanni battle

As fighting intensifies and the security forces move forward in the Wanni to capture the LTTE’s heartland, the government said it was fully geared to provide facilities for an estimated 200,000 to 500,000 civilians trapped in uncleared areas.

Despite food and medicine going into the hands of the LTTE, the government will continue to supply essential food items for civilians in the Wanni.

Government Agents of Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Mannar have been instructed by the Senior Advisor MP Basil Rajapaksa and Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Samarasinghe to prepare an assessment to expedite the humanitarian assistance for those who flee uncleared areas.

Over 12,000 civilians who fled uncleared areas during the past two months have been provided with all basic facilities.

The Wanni Security Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasooriya said that arrangements had been made to provide facilities for civilians fleeing uncleared areas and the sites to set up new IDP centres had been already earmarked.

“We have instructed the GAs to inform civilians that the security forces are moving into the Wanni and asked them to abandon the uncleared areas as facilities have been arranged to welcome them”, he said.

He said that there would not be a food crisis in the Wanni as the government sent all essential food items through GAs, NGOs and INGOs.

“The GAs have confirmed that there is no scarcity of food whatsoever in these areas”, he said.

Maj. Gen. Jayasooriya said that civilians who come to government controlled areas would initially be sheltered in schools and religious places while they would be provided all basic facilities and housed in IDP centres to be set up soon. “We have facilities to accommodate all new IDPs”, he said.

Read more,
http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2008/08/17/pol01.asp

LTTE downfall imminent as more strongholds fall

*Tigers in propaganda campaign to halt Forces' advance;
*Civilians forcibly kept for use as human shield

There were many predictions two years ago when the Security Forces commenced military operations against the LTTE, that the Security Forces were going after the illusionary task of defeating the LTTE militarily.

But those predictions have become invalid with today's status quo of the military operations as troops go ahead with their military operations, unaffected by criticism and dire predictions, capturing those 'impregnable' fortresses one after the other.

There is a miraculous change in the attitude of those critics, within the past few weeks with reports indicating that the downfall of the LTTE is imminent at the hands of the Security Forces.

This sudden change of attitude came after the Security Forces stepped into the Kilinochchi district along the Mannar Pooneryn A-32 road after completing their mission of liberating the Mannar district.

Statistics indicate that the area under LTTE control has been reduced from 15,000 square kilometres two years back to 4,000 square kilometres reducing its fighting strength to 5,000 cadres.

Not only are they facing defeat in the North East but also facing setbacks internationally too losing their international support base with many countries banning the LTTE as a terror organisation and stopping funding sources of the organisation.

As the humiliating defeat of the LTTE is imminent it has commenced a desperate campaign to tarnish the image of the Security Forces, risking the lives of the innocent civilians trapped in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/08/15/fea03.asp

LTTE continue to conscript children, fleeing civilians reveal

English Version,

Source,
http://www.youtube.com/user/sinhahada

sinhala Version,

"Prabhakaran's children were sent to schools in the West, our children are denied education and sent to battle."

Civilians arriving in the liberated areas in North seeking protection of the security forces after escaping from the grip of Tiger terrorists are accusing the LTTE for continuous forcible conscription of children as combatants.

It is also reported that the LTTE terrorists have intensified their campaign to conscript children as they are rapidly losing ground to the advancing troops of the security forces.

News reports from the Wanni battle front indicate that the LTTE has used the Thavanpiddi Waddakkandhal school premises to train children in combat activities. They have also built a separate facility at the main hall of the school for special training and named it Mahaweera Hall. It has been built to display bodies of child soldiers who were killed in fighting.

The LTTE has removed the roof of the school building. They have also ordered that text books issued to schools in the north to be destroyed, civilian sources revealed.

Read more,
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/PANA-7HBDZQ?OpenDocument&RSS20=02-P
Video Source,
SLRC

Troops capture LTTE's last stronghold in Mannar District

Reaching to another significant milestone of the Wanni liberation operation, the heroic army soldiers in task Force 1 captured the Vellankulam town, the LTTE's last stronghold in Mannar District this afternoon, August 02.

According to the latest information received from the Mannar front, following the fierce gun battle occurred during last few day, troops have advanced into the Vellankulam town area this afternoon despite the stiff resistance given by the terrorists to protect the strategically important build-up area which has direct supply route between western cost and Mankulam via Thunukkai and Mallavi.

At least 30 LTTE terrorists were killed and more terrorists have withdrawn via see routs with their casualties due to the effective fire power launched by the troops, ground sources said.

Two main fortified LTTE camps were located in the Vellankulam town area and LTTE terrorists withdrawn loosing after Vidattaltivu and Illuppaikkadavai had reorganized in the Vellankulam area to make resistance for the advancing troops.

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080802_06

Heavy clashes erupts in Wanni, troops encounter stiff resistance from terrorists

Heavy clashes have flared up in the South of Tunukkai and South of Mallavi areas since this morning (August 1), said the defence sources in the Vavuniya - Mannar battlefront.

According to the sources, troops of 57 division continuing their advance towards the strategically vital Tunukkai town and Mallavi town have come under stiff resistance from LTTE terrorists struggling to hold their strongholds. Terrorists have lobbed hundreds of mortars in order to slowdown the advancing soldiers. However, troops have effectively overpowered the terror attack and taken the situation under control, the sources added.

According to the available information, several soldiers have been killed and others suffered wounds due to the enemy mortar fire. The terrorists too have suffered serious damages. The battle is still on, the latest reports said.

More information will follow..

Extracted from,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080801_07

Forces enter Kilinochchi district

Troops engaged in Wanni liberation mission have crossed the district borders between Mannar and Kilinochchi districts at an undisclosed location on the Mannar- Vavuniya combined warfront.

According to the defence sources, fall of Vellankulam, the next town come across after Iluppaikkadavai when travelling northwards on the Mannar- Pooneryn (A-32) road is imminent.

Military reports from the Wanni theatre of operations indicate 20 deaths and 29 casualties to the terrorists and report 4 others as either killed or wounded in clashes occurred in the Mannar - Vavuniya and Welioya battlefront. Also, two soldiers died while two suffered wounds.

Troops belonging to Task Force 1 (TF-1) continued their march, fighting terrorist defences along the left flank of the Mannar- Vavuniya combined front towards Iluppaikkadavai.

Troops established their control over five Square Kilometres area after beating off terrorists from Mundampiddi.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/08/02/sec03.asp

Wanni operation 1 st August 2008

,

Source,
SLRC

Wanni operation 30 th July 2008

Source,
SLRC

Wanni operation 29 th July 2008

Source,
SLRC

Forces regain Mundampiddy

MANNAR: The Security Forces operating north of Illuppaikaddavai yesterday captured the Mundampiddy area completely capturing the LTTE defences south of Vellankulam while capturing a section of Vellankulam Thunukkai from the east of Vellankulam, military sources from the Mannar-Vavuniya front said yesterday.

According to General Officer Commanding 58 Division troops have taken full control of the LTTE defence line in south Vellankulam which was constructed covering the two branches of the Pali Aru flowing to the sea from the South of Vellankulam.

The Forces also captured areas East of Vellankulam as they captured the Vellankulam – Thunukkai road which was used by the LTTE as a main supply route to feed their cadres operating north of Mannar in the North Western coast.

According to the military this is the first instance after the early 1990’s the Security Forces have captured a section of the Thunukkai -Vellankulam road.

Read more,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/30/sec02.asp

57 Div Troops & Special Forces Capture Area to South of Mallavi Town

MANNAR: HEROIC TROOPS of the 57 Division and Special Forces in the MANNAR front, WANNI forging ahead triumphantly in areas to the north of VANNAKULAM, about 3 km to the south of MALLAVI town Thursday (24) afternoon brought a well-fortified LTTE stronghold area completely under control killing twenty-five terrorists and injuring a similar number.

Scores of Tigers who have also been reportedly motivated by LTTE’s Artillery Chief and MANNAR sector “BHANU,” just hours before valiant troops rolled on to that area could not resist the fire-power of the advancing troops. The fight for dominance in the area commenced as the first light on Thursday (24) fell when brave troops started their advance into Tiger controlled areas.

By 3.30 p.m. on Thursday (24) troops have collected seven dead Tiger terrorists, one 120mm weapon (artillery mortar), two 81mm mortars, forty-eight 120mm rounds, seventy-four 81mm ammunition rounds, four ICOM sets, two motorbikes, five T-56 weapons, one binocular, one tractor and many other explosive devices as the troops after fighting settled started clearing the area.

As this report was being pasted, troops in control of the area were consolidating their positions while carefully removing booby traps and other explosive devices infesting the area. Many more LTTE items, left behind by fleeing Tiger terrorists are yet to be collected by the troops.

Extracted from,
http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=14729
graphic image,
http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080724_05

Wanni Operation 22 th of July

Source,
http://www.youtube.com/user/sinhahada

Holy Madhu Statue Returns; Army Takes over Renovations to the Shrine

MANNAR: THE MOST SACRED STATUE of Our Lady of MADHU which was taken away by Catholic Priests attached to the MANNAR diocese several months ago was brought back to MANNAR Bishop House Tuesday (22) across OMANTHE Entry / Exit point.

Removal of the Holy Statue and its arrival in a church in WELLANKULAM, further north of MANNAR, caused concerns among the Catholic faith and all Sri Lankans at that point of time.

The MADHU church premises was recaptured from grips of Tiger terrorism after laps of ten years on 25th April 2008 but Tiger terrorists after straying into the premises went on pounding the holy compound in order to chase the troops away.

Terrorists caused damages to a section of the church buildings where priests used to live.

The Holy Statue is to be placed back in its original position at the MADHU shrine once the renovations of the LTTE-damaged buildings are completed. Sri Lanka Army has undertaken repairs and renovations which cost around Rs 1.5 million following a directive given by Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.

Troops in the meantime have intensified their humanitarian de-mining work in and around the compound in order to completely clear the area before the Holy Statue is returned to the MADHU shrine.

The holy annual feast is expected in August this year.

Extracted from,
MCNS
Video,
SLRC

Forces moving towards west Mullaitivu

Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the Security Forces engaged in liberating the North were moving towards west of Mullaitivu as part of their humanitarian mission.

Addressing the media yesterday at the MCNS, Brigadier Nanayakkara said the Security Forces who liberated the Eastern Province on a humanitarian mission had moved to the North to liberate it from LTTE clutches.

“Commandos on the Mannar and Wanni front marked many victories against the LTTE and liberated from the LTTE grip. Troops are marching towards the Mullaitivu entered west of Mullaitivu along the A9 road to liberate one of the LTTE strong hold in the North,” he added.

The Security Forces also liberated 67 square kilometers in the Weli Oya area in the Northern front including One Four Base scattered in the Mullaitivu jungle, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

Navy spokesman Commander D.P.K. Dassanayake said at least 13 Tiger boats were destroyed and six LTTE cadres killed including sea Tiger leaders on Sunday, Navy and Air Force joint operation in the sea off Nachchikuda, North of Illuppaikkadavai.

Commenting on reports in pro-LTTE websites that the Navy targeted fishermen, Commander Dassanayake queried as to why ‘fishermen’ should use 85 horsepower boats and fire at the Navy. Commander Dassanayake said the Navy had established a Naval Blockade between Mannar and Delft Island to block weapons supplies to the LTTE from India and block fleeing Tigers.

“There was a difficulty in the past to operate in the area as it was covering a shallow sea area and we have now introduced a new boat squadron and over 50 naval Dvora boats were deployed to operate the blockade,” he added.

Extracted from,
http://www.dailynews.lk/2008/07/22/sec02.asp

Illuppakadavai captured

Troops from the 58 Division (Task Force 1), spearheaded by Commandos today reached the Sea Tiger camp at Illuppakadavai. A heavy firefight ensued today for nearly two hours. Tigers received a severe beating and survivors took tail. Exact number of casualties is unavailable.

The next targets lying in the 58s path are Vellankulam (7km), Nochchikudah (7km), Pallikuda and Pooneryn (20kms). The objective will be the latter, while the three former locations also have some significant sea Tiger Activity.

As Vellankulam ends, the Kilinochchi District begins. Thevampiddi Church to where the Our Lady of Madhu statue was removed to is also situated in Vellankulam. Thevampiddi is a small coastal village on the A-32. The 58 advance towards Vellankulam will happen simultaneously to the 57 advance towards Tunukkai and Mallavi on the eastern flank.

Sea Tigers have been at the receiving end lately, with cadres being killed and assets destroyed on a regular basis. The latest and most serious damage comes from an attack on the Sea Tiger base at Chalai in the Northeastern Coast.

Read more,
http://defencewire.blogspot.com/2008/07/illuppakadavai-captured.html
Photos,
MCNS, http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080720_02 and http://www.army.lk/morenews.php?id=14598

Wanni operation 17 th July 2008

Source,
http://www.defence.lk/videos/WanniOP20080717.wmv

Sri Lanka's armed forces eye Kilinochchi

Government defence spokesperson Minister Keheliya Rambukwella today revealed that the armed forces have already taken steps to liberate Kilinochchi from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as their next aim.

He pointed out that the security forces’ “liberation” of the Vidataltivu Sea Tiger base, where Sea Tiger leader Soosai had once operated, was a “great victory”. He made these comments at a press briefing held at his residence.

He went on to say that following the capture of the Vidataltivu area, troops consolidated their domination over 90% of the Mannar district. The government expects to cultivate paddy in the Rice Bowl area in Mannar in the future, he added.

Responding to a question asked by a media person on abductions carried out by “white vans”, the Minister said that the only way to resolve this issue is to stop importing “white vans from Japan since 90% of the vans imported to Sri Lanka are white-coloured.”

He added that there was evidence now surfacing that the majority of these cases are fabrications aimed at troubling the government.

Extracted from,
http://www.colombopage.com/archive_08/July18171054JR.html

Mysterious presence of Indian in Tiger territory

A chance detection of a boat trying to move through an SLN cordon now in place in the Gulf of Mannar has revealed the presence of some Indians in the LTTE-held area in the Vanni.

An Indian holding passport (ETN/059/001/355/2001) was among seven persons attempting to cross the Indo-Lanka maritime boundary on Wednesday. Selvam Sudesh Kanan has claimed that he along with three other Indians arrived in the LTTE held area in the Vanni on January 10, 2003.

His boat would most probably have escaped if a special naval cordon had not been in place to discourage the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet from poaching in Sri Lankan waters. The SLN has placed the cordon following the detention of nearly 290 Indian trawlers poaching in Sri Lankan waters on July 2, which triggered protests in the Tamil Nadu.

After initial questioning in Mannar, the SLN had moved the Indian overland to Colombo to be handed over to the Indian High Commission.

Although the government has accepted Selvam’s claim that they were detained by the LTTE used as forced labour, the mystery surrounds the failure on the part of their families to raise the issue with the Sri Lankan mission in Chennai. The Tamil Nadu media, the Indian High Commission or the Norwegian-led truce monitoring mission deployed in the Northern and Eastern Province had not raised the issue, the sources said.

Sources pointed out that although Selvam had a valid Indian passport, he hadn’t entered Sri Lanka through the Bandaranaike International airport. "The bottom line is that he had entered the Vanni mainland clandestinely," an official said.

Read more,
http://www.island.lk/2008/07/18/news14.html
Photo,
MCNS

Wanni operation 16 th July 2008

Source,
http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20080715_11