SLA says coastal garrison pulled out

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 March 2000, 06:29 GMT]
The Sri Lanka Army said in a communique this morning that it pulled out its garrison in Maamunai under heavy fire from the Liberation Tigers. The press release states that one officer and thirty two soldiers were killed and hundred and fifty eight including six officers were wounded in the fighting so far. Battles continue in the general area east of Pallai in Jaffna's southern sector according to the SLA's communique.

The press release by the Operations Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence states -

"Fighting continued in general area east of Pallai. The Mamunai detachment came under heavy fire last night too. Detachment was pull (sic) back to a prepared alternative position north of Sembiyan pattu on the instructions of the security force Commander.

Due to the fire at the gun position near Pallai three artillery guns were damaged. These guns were pulled back to Palali to affect (sic) repairs.

In Vathirayan terrorists continued to fire mortars on the troops manning forward defences and troops clearing the area. The Tank used by the terrorists during this attack was destroyed by the security forces.

Security forces suffered one officer and 32 killed in action and 6 officers and 152 wounded in action."