Fighting in Vadamaradchi East

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 18 August 1999, 10:44 GMT]
Fighting has been reported between the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and the Liberation Tigers in the mangroves of Nelliyaan, Chempiyanpattu south and Maamunai in the Vadamaradchi East division of the Jaffna Peninsula.

The fighting erupted when the SLA soldiers stationed at the camps at Eluthumadduval, Maamunai and Naakarkovil launched a combing operation in the villages during the early hours of the morning yesterday.

"The operation is in process," said SLA sources, adding it would be concluded this evening.

Nearly 500 SLA soldiers and armoured vehicles are involved in the operation the sources said.

All transport in to the villages has been suspended.

Sources in Vadamaradchi said fighting broke out around 8 p.m. last night and continued for nearly two hours.

Clashes broke out again this morning and the sounds of gunfire and exploding mortar shells are heard in the area the sources added.

However, details of casualties are not known, they said.