Tigers say army advance in deep trouble

[TamilNet, Friday, 29 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The latest offensive launched by the Sri Lankan Army yesterday to capture Mankulam has run into deep trouble claimed the Liberation Tigers in a press release issued today from their international secretatriat.

The LTTE statements said:

"A two pronged advance by the Sinhalese army - backed by tanks, artillery, warplanes and helicopter gunships - towards Mankulam that began on Thursday morning at 5 AM is in deep trouble with one column retreating with heavy casualties.

The LTTE forces beat back the army advance from positions south of Munrumurippu (southwest of Mankulam) with artillery and mortar fire forcing the invading Sinhalese armed forces to retreat to their original position.

On the other front west of Ampakamam (northeast of Mankulam) LTTE forces are putting up stiff resistance firing mortar and artillery shells and the battle is still continuing. LTTE have recovered the body of a Sri Lankan soldier.

Up to now one LTTE fighter - Janutharan - has died in the operation."