"Frequency and Intensity" of firing eases around Mavil Aru

Lull in fighting around Mavil Aru : Sri Lankan Army

11 August,2006 (New Delhi)

After a day of fierce fighting which say dozens of rebel fighters and troops killed Thursday, military sources have told this writer from Colombo that the "frequency and intensity" of the shelling and operations has "calmed down" around the Mavil Aru min-dam in the restive eastern Sri Lankan District of Colombo since Friday morning.

" Compared to the fierce fighting yesterday, the situation is very calm. The frequency and intensity of fire by the rebels has calmed down since last evening. This is because of the heavy casualties that the rebels have suffered. Our ground sources put the toll at 40 killed and 130 injured. " Said Major U Rajapakse, spokesman for the Media Center for National Security on phoneline from Colombo.

But military sources say this does not indicate a begining of the end of hostilities over the disputed dam.

" We are defending the anicut, it is under our control. They will come back I am sure. This is just a temporary lull we are aware of that." Rajapakse added

Meanwhile, 3 troops were injured at the Allai Kantale army camp near Mavil Aaru when an over- heated artillery gun exploded.

" Due to the requirements of the operation, the gun was firing more rounds than what is technically permitted. A round exploded inside the gun. This led some shells kept near by exploding. Some artillery guns positioned near by were also damaged. Technical teams are evaluating if these guns can be repaired and used again. No soldier has dies in the incident."

Some of the shells were thrown out of the military camp to prevent explosions. Three civilians from a village near the camp were killed when they tried to diffuse a shell thrown out of the camp as a preventive measure.