LTTE defence line falls in Vakarai region
*UNHCR ‘cover’ for LTTE
*Govt. to bring Vakarai under control

The LTTE had lost their first and the strongest line of defences between Panichankerni and Kadjuwatte. Troops are in the process of consolidating the newly captured positions amidst sporadic fire. Advancing troops came across UNHCR tents which had been used by the LTTE.

A senior Defence Ministry official yesterday expressed confidence in completing the operation in the near future. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, he said that the government would go ahead with the operation. "We have to neutralise their artillery and mortar pieces to prevent further attacks on civilian settlements in the area," he said. "The bottom line is that we wouldn’t be shackled by the ceasefire agreement." He acknowledged that the presence of civilians impeded the operations.

Earlier, troops brought Sampur under their control. In the first week of September troops expanded their Muhamalai frontline.

The LTTE is believed to be unable to reinforce its cadres deployed in the Vakarai region due to the increased presence of the Navy off Vakarai. Although the LTTE initially managed to delay the advance, troops are gradually taking the upper hand.

Their operations are being supplemented by small group operations conducted by Special Forces in addition to raids carried out by the Karuna faction.

Army Headquarters said that troops killed several senior LTTE cadres including the Vakarai leader Viduthalai. The LTTE subsequently identified him as a ‘Lieutenant Colonel.’ Troops also killed Arivu, the second-in-command in Trincomalee. He had been ‘Colonel’ Sornam’s deputy.

The Vakarai region encompasses a large expanse of land north of Navalady Junction extending 50km to the Verugal River. The army controls Navalady Junction.

The region’s eastern boundary extends to the shores overlooking the Bay of Bengal and the West, lined by agricultural land and forests. The Batticaloa-Trincomalee highway (A-15) passes through Vakarai.

The villages of Kayankerni, Mankerni, Pannichchankerni, Vakarai, Kandalady, Paalchenai and Kathiravelly lie along A-15 (from south to north). The Uppaar Lagoon separates the coast and the hinterland. Vakarai village proper lies east of the lagoon by the coast.

Since the operations began over a week ago, the army lost 24 officers and men. Army headquarters placed the number of wounded at 68. The Island learns that about 200 terrorists had been killed in the Vakarai region after the fall of Sampur. Of them about 70 had been killed in the past few days. The operation got underway after a series of successful operations conducted by Special Forces in the region, particularly west of Vakarai.