SLA-LTTE clash in Mankulam

[TamilNet, Saturday, 23 January 1999, 13:52 GMT]
Six Liberation Tigers were killed and at least 12 Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers were wounded in fresh fighting in the Mankulam area this morning, said army sources.

They said the fighting erupted when troops, observing a group of Tigers ahead of the Mankulam Forward Defence Lines (FDLs), ambushed them.

Sources at the Anuradhapura hospital said that 12 wounded soldiers have been brought to the hospital and they expect more.

Residents in Vavuniya said that they were able to notice the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) jets and helicopters flying towards Mankulam this morning around 11 a.m..

Meanwhile the Operational Head Quarters of the Ministry of Defence said today that two LTTE members were killed in the jungles of Oddusuddan ahead of SLA defence lines during a clearing operation yesterday.

It further said that two SLA soldiers were wounded yesterday when the Tigers fired mortars at troops manning the defences Northwest of Mankulam.