Wanni liberation in progress

Sri Lanka security forces continue to beat in terrorists' defences of Wanni causing heavy damages to LTTE. As per the latest reports from the battlefronts troops had dislodged 6 LTTE bunkers and killed over 28 terrorists in yesterday's (December 23) clashes.

In the Jaffna theatre of battle, troops deployed at Ponnar on the Kilaly front, attacked LTTE bunker line around 6.15 last evening. Ground troops have claimed that three terrorists were killed and two bunkers destroyed in the incident. No casualties reported to own troops.On the Muhamalai front, SL army soldiers manning the defence line opened fire at a group of LTTE terrorists stalking towards the own defence. Ground troops confirmed that one LTTE cadre was killed in the incident that took place around 11.45 a.m.

Earlier on the same day morning, army claimed that eight terrorists were killed and four LTTE bunkers destroyed when troops attacked LTTE bunker line at Nagarkovil.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka navy sailors uncovered four suicide belts and a military pack at 12.p.m. yesterday. The sailors acting on information provided by the civilians made this recovery at Velani, in the Kaytes Island.In the Wanni theatre of battle, troops moving ahead from the Vavuniya front attacked an LTTE stronghold in the Vilathikulama area around 9.40, last morning. Troops having located the terrorists' gun and radar positions called in artillery fire on the same. Also, the terrorists responded using heavy mortars. Army radio monitoring elements have revealed that three terrorist were killed and 10 others were injured in the incident. One soldier was also killed and nine sustained injuries in the same incident.

At Kuduruvitankulama, troops laid an ambush at terrorists' movement around 2.15, last afternoon. Monitored radio transmissions have revealed that two terrorist were killed and one injured in the incident. No casualties reported to own troops.At Kallikkulama, troops confronted with a group of LTTE cadres around 2 on the same day afternoon. Ground troops claimed that three terrorists were killed in the incident.Meanwhile, four soldiers suffered injuries due to anti personnel mine explosions occurred in Thampanai and Kuduruvitankulama area during yesterday's clearing operations. The injured were admitted to Anuradhapura hospital.

In the Mannar theatre of battle, troops confronted with LTTE terrorists at three separate incidents. Reports indicate that eight terrorists and one soldier were killed in the incidents that occurred in the Narikkulama, Palaikkuli, and Tettakkuli areas yesterday.

Jathika Hela Urumaya organized series of religious

The Jathika Hela Urumaya organized series of religious observations in Anuradhapura to observe the fourth death anniversary of Ven. Gangodawila Soma thera. The JHU team is seen at the Abhayagiriya after donating a machine to carry bricks to the top of the stupa to help renovation work.

Up-to-the-minute News

• Kandy-Badulla road impassable

The Badulla - Kandy road made impassable due to a minor landslide causing heavy damages to the Malaoya Bridge. Road users are advised to take alternative routes via Hunnasgiriya and Walapane.

• Floods in six districts

Torrential rain during the weekend has caused havoc in six districts - Amapara, Matale, Anurdhapura, Polonaruwa and Batticloa with over 6211 families displaced and some110 houses completely destroyed.

• Looting during Dambulla floods

Two persons have been arrested by Dambulla Police for looting shops during floods. The floods caused extensive damage to the area and the hospital was shifted as a result.

Troops overrun LTTE's 'VIETNAM base

During yesterday's military advance into non-liberated territory ahead of Wanni defences, security forces overran what was identified to be LTTE's 'VIETNAM Base' located at general area Periyapunichankulama, security sources said.Security forces met with minimum resistance during the advance as demoralized terrorists were on the flight with acute shortage of will and man power, defence sources said.

The LTTE strategic base stretching approximately 400m and 300m in breath consists with 18 to 20 overhead bunkers, ground sources said. Eight to ten cadjan roofed huts and a kitchen were inside the terrorist camp. Troops also located a 150m long tunnel (2 m width and 2 m height) forming a clandestine exit route from the camp."Few chairs were also found inside a building and the word "VIETNAM" was written on them", military reported citing field sources.

Security News

• 03 LTTE terrorists killed: 02 bunkers destroyed in skirmishes

Sri Lankan security forces launched an attack yesterday (22) at identified LTTE positions ahead of Kilali forward defences in Jaffna, killing two terrorists, security sources said.In the attack resumed at 5.45p.m, two LTTE bunkers under construction were also destroyed the sources added.Meanwhile, according to troops manning defences at Kokkuthuduvai in Welioya, a terrorist was killed while attempting to breach the FDLs at around 5.30p.m.

No damages were caused to own troops during the confrontations, security sources said.Also during a search and clearing operations conducted yesterday at general areas Periyathampanai South and Umayarattuvarankulam Vavuniya troops defused 101 anti-personnel (AP) mines, military sources report.

• LTTE gunmen shot dead Police Sergeant in Mannar

A Police sergeant was shot dead by alleged LTTE gunmen at the Mannar main bus stand, yesterday (December 22) at 7.30 p.m.According to Mannar Police sources, the Police Sergeant on duty has moved forward from the police post to inquire two individuals with suspicious behaviour. While, their whereabouts were been noted a suspect has reached for a hidden pistol and shot at the sergeant and fled the scene instantly.

Sergeant Udayananda received headshot injuries and succumbed in moments, Mannar Police sources said. Sergeant Sirisenage Udayanada, 44, averted a major catastrophe in a densely populated area in his gallant effort while performing duties, defence sources noted.

Defence sources believe that, LTTE terrorists imminent of their eviction from Mannar and Wanni battle theatre is attempting to cause calamity targeting innocent civilians, committing security forces to neutralize its advances.

• 04 LTTE bunkers destroyed, 08 terrorists killed- Jaffna

Troops engaged heavy mortar and artillery barrages ahead of Nagarkovil defences this morning (December 23) destroying 04 LTTE bunkers and killing at least 08 terrorists, Jaffna military sources report.The strikes were initiated as a pre-emptive measure on receiving 'intel' information of an LTTE offensive advance towards the Army defences, around 5.15 a.m. security sources said.According to ground troops, no damages were caused to own troops.

Britain plans to prosecute Karuna precursor to crackdown on Prabhakaran's associates

The Crown Prosecution Service of Britain is looking to charge the controversial former LTTE leader, Karuna Amman of war crimes, torture and hostage-taking, it is reported.

Karuna Amman, whose defection was the biggest split that the LTTE has suffered, was arrested in Britain last month on suspicion of immigration offences. He led the LTTE in the East until March 2003, when he left the terrorist organization and formed his own group, the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP). The TMVP has since split with Pilliyan taking over the leadership after Karuna left the island.