The ICRC, the only international agency operating in the LTTE-held territory east of A9, would have to review its presence at Puthukkudiyirippu as the army intensified operations on the eastern flank, military sources said yesterday.

All other INGOs including UN agencies vacated their offices last September following a government directive.

The sources said that once the army secured the road stretch between Kilinochchi and Paranthan on A9 within weeks if not days, the full might of the ground forces would be directed at LTTE bases east of the road.

Puthukkudiyirippu, situated along the Paranthan-Mullaitivu road (A 35) would be a major battleground due heavy presence of LTTE units in the area, the sources said.

The sources said that Puthukkudiyirippu would be the last major hurdle faced by troops advancing along A 35 towards Mullaitivu. He asserted that the ICRC would have to vacate their office at least temporarily to avoid being caught up in a major battle.

The SLAF yesterday carried out six sorties to facilitate the operations carried out by 57 Division and Task Force I (TF I) to regain the Kilinochchi-Paranthan road.

Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that air strikes would continue as the army advanced on Kilinochchi town from the south and west.

Last Wednesday and Thursday, SLAF carried out seven sorties in support of 57 Division and TF I.

Military sources said that the fall of Kilinochci-Paranthan stretch of road would pave the way for a massive assault eastwards of the A9 with the army advancing along Paranthan-Mullaitivi and Mankukam-Mullaitivu roads which link the eastern coast with the A9.

The army said that the Task Force III (TF III) was already on the move along the Mankulam-Mullaitivu road and a link-up with the 59 Division conducting operations on the Weli Oya front was imminent.

The sources said that the link up would make the joint front involving TF III and 59 Division the broadest front ever maintained against the LTTE on the eastern flank.

They asserted that the ICRC continued presence at Puthukkudiyirippu would be untenable as the area would be in the middle of ground operations.

ICRC spokesperson Sarasi Wijeratne said that they first moved to Puthukkudiyirippu in 1997.

"We’ll continue to be there as long as there is humanitarian assistance needed in the area. There are civilians affected by the conflict in the area and we are therefore committed to staying close to them," she said.

A few weeks ago the ICRC called off its presence at Omanthai entry/exit point as the army advanced north of Omanthai and set up a new checkpoint at Puliyankulam to facilitate the movement of people and supplies to the LTTE-held area east of the A9. The new facility is situated about eight kilometres north of the previous entry/exit point.

Asked whether the ICRC would take up position at Puliyankulam, Wijeratne said that they were in discussions with the government and the LTTE regarding a crossing point.

"Until arrangements for a permanent crossing point are finalized by the two parties, the ICRC will facilitate the movement of ambulances, food convoys and civilian vehicles on an ad hoc basis,’’ she said.

She said the 30-kilometre route links Omanthai with Oddussudan via Puliyankulam and Nedunkerni.

The ICRC on Friday (December 12) facilitated the transfer of bodies of 11 LTTE cadres and 12 soldiers.