More flee LTTE areas fearing SLA offensive in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Friday, 02 February 2007, 02:22 GMT]
More than three thousand people have moved out of Liberation Tigers (LTTE) held areas in Batticaloa west and northwest regions into government controlled areas, within the last few days due to continuous mortar and artillery attacks by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), sources in Batticaloa said. The displaced are given temporary shelters or are staying at the houses of friends and relatives.

Nearly 7500 moved out of Divisional Secretary areas of Kiran, Chenkalady and Vavunativu last week, according to sources in Batticaloa.

SLA activity near Chenkalady indicated that the SLA was making preliminary preparations to launch an offensive on the LTTE held areas through Kiran, Pulipainthakal, Badulla Road in Chenkalady, sources in Batticaloa said.

Karadiyanaru and Thopikal areas, where LTTE presence is alleged, are being continuously subjected to SLA mortar and artillery fire for the last three months.