Nine bodies recovered - LTTE

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 21 April 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers confirmed in a press release issued from its International Secretariat that they had beaten back the SLA's three pronged assault on Mankulam. The LTTE said that SLA troops had withdrawn on all three fronts, having suffered heavy casualties.

The full text of the LTTE statement follows:

"LTTE forces Monday beat back all three columns of the Sinhalese armed forces advancing on the Vanni. The troops suffered heavy casualties and withdrew on all three fronts.

The LTTE units recovered 9 bodies of Sri Lankan soldiers. One army troop carrier was completely destroyed while two battle tanks were damaged beyond repair.

Some arms and ammunitions were captured. The ill-fated army columns had attempted to advance on three fronts, one along the banks of Kanakarayan stream, the second towards Munrumurippu from Mannankulam and the third towards Olumadu.

The LTTE lost eleven fighters. They are: Capt. Kunalan, Capt. Mathivanan, Capt. Anpalagan, Major Thusyanthan, Major Rangan, Lt. Poovalagan, 2nd Lt. Eelamaran, Lt. Venkayayan and LTTE fighters Solaventhan, Isaichelvi and Viduthalai."