Tigers resume offensive

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 12:36 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said in a press release today their forces had overrun the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) base at Palampitty and Peria Madu as the LTTE resumed their offensive in the Mannar district.

Text of the LTTE statement follows:

"LTTE forces overrun Palampitty and Peria Madu.

Massive offensive resumes in Mannar District

"In a fierce offensive thrust the LTTE fighting units overran the Sri Lankan military complex at Palampitty today morning and later took control of Peria Madu in the western sector of Mannar district and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.

"After a brief respite to consolidate its military gains in Vanni area the LTTE resumed its offensive campaign code-named 'Unceasing Waves 3' in the early hours of the morning today.

"Supported by artillery and mortar fire, the LTTE fighting units stormed the forward defence lines of the Sri Lankan military base at Palampitty and overran the entire military complex after several hours of intense fighting. Palampitty - a strategically crucial town in the central region of Mannar district about 30 miles west of Vavuniya town - and its surrounding areas are now under the control of the LTTE.

"The Tamil Tiger fighters also launched a lightning attack on the military defence positions at Peria Madu and captured the army base in that area. The area where the Catholic Holy shrine located is also surrounded by the LTTE fighters.

"Following the fall of the military complex, the LTTE fighters recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition including armoured cars, armoured personnel carriers.

"In the meantime, Sri Lankan military base at Irani Illupankulam, about 15 miles west of Vavuniya town, have also come under heavy attack. Commando units of the LTTE have been pounding the army's defence positions in this area with artillery and mortar fire."