SLA steps up ground offensive targeting 'safety zone'

[TamilNet, Monday, 13 April 2009, 08:21 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army (SLA) has begun advancing its fighting formations from Puthukkudiyiruppu targeting Mu'l'livaaykkaal in the early hours of Monday. The SLA launched the fresh move around 12:15 a.m. The offensive, contradicting the announcement by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa that he had instructed his ground forces to "restrict their operations during the New Year to those of a defensive nature," comes a day after a similar move was reported in the early hours of Sunday.

Rockets and bullets fired by the advancing SLA troops were whizzing over the civilian settlements in Valaignarmadam area inside the so-called safety zone, according initial reports filed by TamilNet correspondent in Vanni.

Heavy exchange of gunfire was continuing.

Chronology: