Jaffna island troops pulled out

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 05 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Sections of the 514 Brigade of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stationed at Allaipiddy, Mandatheevu and Mankumban, in the islands off the Jaffna peninsula, are in the process of being withdrawn to other areas, said sources in Jaffna.

Unconfirmed reports state that the troops are to be deployed in the Operation Jayasikurui areas.

Soldiers were seen on the main roads with their knapsacks and other military wherewithal in preparation to move, said sources.

The relocation of these troops will only leave a skeleton force in these parts of the islands.

The Eelam Peoples' Democratic Party (EPDP) which assists the SLA in its operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) also taken their weapons from thei camp on Kayts, another island off the Jaffna peninsula, to the Jaffna town, said sources.