Tigers overrun Nedunkerni

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 03 November 1999, 12:27 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers overran the town of Nedunkerni after heavy fighting today, said SLA sources. They said SLA units were withdrawing from the area amidst intense shelling by the Liberation Tigers.

The loss of the military complex comes a day after the Tigers overran the SLA base complex at Oddussudan, six miles to the north of Nedunkerni.

The sources said the SLA was reinforcing its units in other areas of the central Vanni today as fighting spread.

All three service arms are participating in efforts to bolster SLA defences in Mankulam, Olumadu and Ampakamam, to the west and north of Oddusudan, the sources said.

Helicopters from the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force flew repeatedly from Vavuniya in the direction of Oddususdan until 11pm last night, according to residents.

SLA sources said the aircraft had come under LTTE fire, though details of damages were not available.