LTTE marathon to Kathiraveli, as SL forces triumph Vakarai

Ministry of Defence,

With the terrorists' main stronghold at Vakarai in control of the SL security forces, the LTTE have fled further north, into the Kathiraveli area. Kathiraveli is around seven miles north of Vakarai, well within the coastal frontier in Batticaloa.

According to available information the SL troops are advancing further north, to the Kathiraveli region while consolidating the defences in the Vakarai Town area. Meanwhile, security forces made an open announcement to the fleeing terrorists to denounce violence and surrender, preventing further complications.

The week long humanitarian mission triggered off when the STF elite cops captured over a dozen of terrorist fortifications at Ampara. Meanwhile, the SL armed troops marched in columns in response to the desperate calls from the stranded, under the LTTE control. The march for liberation of thousand of innocent Tamils gathered momentum with the support of the rescued people in the East.

9,000 civilians fled the Vakarai area on Friday, to Mankerni, Kadjuwatte and Reedeethenne escorted by the liberation troops of the SL armed forces. The LTTE stepped-up attacks in the east in-order to exaggerate a humanitarian catastrophe, avoiding retaliation from government forces.

Meanwhile, few pro-LTTE media mourned at the terrorist defeat in Vakarai, keeping a static silence over the issue.

"The LTTE has been given the opportunity to surrender all cadres in the east and to close down their child soldiering camps and indiscriminate attacks. It is also stressed that the LTTE should act with respect to humanity and stop escalating violence" stated a ground commander in the east.

Meanwhile, a Batticaloa Divisional official said, "Despite efforts by the LTTE to disrupt the flow of critical aids to the affected, the SL government will continue to provide food, vaccines and medicines to the displaced people".

Months earlier, the SL security forces root out the terrorists from Mavil-Aru, Muttur and Sampur in the Trincomalee district, rescuing thousands held captive under the LTTE since 2002.