300 SLA killed - Tigers

[TamilNet, Friday, 05 December 1997, 23:59 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers said in a press release issued today that 300 Sri Lankan troops were killed when the LTTE launched a counter offensive yesterday against the Jayasikurui troops near Kanakarayankulam. The Tigers said they have lost 35 fighters including 10 women.

The LTTE press release issued at 13.30 GMT said:

"On the morning of 4th December 97, the Sri Lankan Army attempted to advance on two fronts from Puthur towards Mannankkulam, Kanakarayankulam. The LTTE launched a counter offensive and there was heavy fighting between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE from early morning till 3.00 pm in the evening. 300 Sinhala troops were killed, many were injured, and the Sri Lankan Army was forced to withdraw."

"133 bodies of Sinhalese soldiers were recovered by the LTTE and out of these the 113 which were in good condition were handed over to the ICRC. The remaining 20 bodies which were in bad condition were cremated by the LTTE. In this successful counter offensive 35 LTTE fighters including 10 women fighters were martyred. Huge amounts of arms and ammunitions were captured by the LTTE."