More than 75 Rebels Killed in Failed Tiger offensive in Kilali: S L Army

75 Killed, Many More Rebels Wounded in Failed Offensive in Kilali : SL Army

17 August 2006 (New Delhi)


The Sri Lankan army claims to have foiled an offensive by over 200 sea tigers to dislodge the Sri Lankan army from the strategic Kilali Lagoon. The army claims it has collected over 75 bodies of rebel figheters killed in the offensive that started late Wednesday evening and continued till about 4 am Thursday morning.

" Many more bodies are strewn across the lagoon. We are handing over the bodies to the Jaffna Hospital." Brig. Atula Jayawardane, spokesman for thr Sri Lankan army told this writer over the phoneline from Colombo.

The army says the Rebel offensive was launched late Wednesday evening as more than 200 sea tigers on about 25 improvised fiber glass dingies stormed army positions on the Lagoon.

" Many of their dingies were damages and some of the terrorists managed to escape at day break." Jayawardane added.

Jayawardane said he was awaiting casualty figures for the army. He said 106 soldiers have been killed since hostilities started on the 11 of August in Jaffna. He said of these 6 were officers and the remaining from other ranks. He said 170 soldiers were injured during this period.

Meanwhile, rebels continue to pound the Jaffna High security zone with artillery shells through the night. The Zone houses the Palali Air Base and other strategic defence facilities in Jaffna.

A rebel spokesman confirmed to this writer over the phone from Killinochi, that there had been fierce fighting around the Kilali lagoon, but said he did not have details of casualty figures.

" Our fighters have consolidated their position around the Muhamalai in Jaffna, I am told we have advanced 2 kilometers into the Forward defence line." Thaya Master, spokesman for the rebels told this writer.


(Photo credit : TamilNet, LTTE reinforcements in Muhamalai Forward Defence Line)