SLA says close to Mankulam

[TamilNet, Monday, 16 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The SLA sources claimed today that they are just 1 km away from Mankulam town on the highway to Jaffna (the A9). They said that the troops of Operation Jayasikurui have advanced north by the side of the highway from Kanakarayan Kulam despite heavy resistance by the Liberation Tigers.

SLA troops in Olumadu, three km east of Mankulam have also advanced towards this key town from their positions which were captured and consolidated after heavy fighting in October last year.

"The town is expected to fall soon" said army sources in Vavuniya.

They said that the army will then be able to move swiftly towards Kilinochchi in the course of a few weeks.

A large number of troops are being sent to the front by bus reports from Vavuniya said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister for Defence, Gen. Anurudha Ratwatte visited some of the areas held by troops of Operation Jayasikurui ahead of Vavuniya. Details of his visit were not known.

The SLA in Vavuniya said that the A9 highway is now under the government's control from Vavuniya to Kanakarayan Kulam and at least two kilometers beyond this junction in the direction of Mankulam.

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