SLA advance thwarted - VoT

[TamilNet, Sunday, 12 September 1999, 18:14 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers have blocked a three pronged advance by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), backed by air cover and artillery fire, towards Pallamadu, Periyamadu and Siraddikulam in the western sector of the Vanni said the Voice of Tigers Radio (VoT) today.

The SLA soldiers suffered heavy casualties and had retreated to their original positions by the evening, according to the radio.

The Liberation Tigers have recovered more than 20 bodies of SLA soldiers and many weapons, including AKLMGs and mortars, the radio further said.

Several bodies of SLA soldiers are lying in the area, the radio added.

Nineteen Liberation Tigers died in the fighting today that raged from 6 a.m. till 4 p.m. the radio said.

According to security sources 26 bodies of SLA soldiers have been brought to the Anuradhapura hospital while another 150 are wounded.