Hundreds of casualties in Mannar

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 November 1999, 19:23 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army (SLA) suffered hundreds of casualties when the Liberation Tigers captured several SLA camps on the strategic land route between Vavuniya town and Vidathaltivu on the western coast, the LTTE said in a press release today. The Tigers lost 10 fighters, the statement said.

The text of the statement follows:

"Sri Lankan armed forces suffered further humiliating debacles as the commando units of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) overran several strategic towns in pre-down lightning attacks in the Mannar District today."

"In a meticulously planned offensive thrust, the LTTE fighting formations launched simultaneous attacks on Pallamadu, Periamadu, Palampitty and Thatchanamarutha Madu and overran the military bases in these areas."

"Situated along the strategic land route between Vavuniya town and Vidathaltivu in the west coast of Mannar, these towns were captured by the Sri Lankan army during a series of military campaigns code named 'Operation Ranagosa'."

"The town of Madu, where the famous Roman Catholic shrine is situated, also fell to Tamil Tigers without resistance."

"Vast tracts of territory in the heart of Mannar fell to Tigers during the 12 hours of battle as the Sri Lankan troops deserted their posts and fled unable to withstand the fury of mortar and artillery fire."

"From the fallen military bases and camps the LTTE fighters have recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition including armoured cars, armoured personnel carriers and trucks."

"Sri Lankan armed forces suffered hundreds of casualties, whereas 10 LTTE fighters were killed in the fighting today."