SLA fortifies Jaffna islands

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 28 December 1999, 12:34 GMT]
Sri Lankan Army (SLA) troops on the islands west of Jaffna peninsula, have been put on alert as the Liberation Tigers have intensified their attacks on the strategic SLA base at Elephant Pass, security sources in the northern town said today.

They said at least 10 shells fired by the Liberation Tigers, from Pooneryn, hit the coast of Mandaithivu island yesterday afternoon.

The SLA has established new forward defence lines and artillery positions along the coast in these areas, and has increased surveillance in the Jaffna lagoon, the sources added.

Meanwhile SLA sources in Colombo said the troops and the Liberation Tigers have been exchanging long range artillery fire in the Elephant Pass region.

The Voice of Tigers (VoT) radio said that the Liberation Tigers overran the Sri Lanka Army camp at Umayalpuram, about 5 km. north of Paranthan, yesterday evening.