Heavy fighting in Jaffna - MoD

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 10 May 2000, 10:07 GMT]
The Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence (MoD) said Wednesday that the Liberation Tigers had launched a "major attack" on Sri Lanka Army (SLA) troops manning defences at Ariyalai and Tanankillappu in Jaffna, using " heavy volume of artillery and mortars".

"Terrorists have managed to breach a few gaps in the Army defences at Ariyalai," the MoD said, adding that SLA troops "have performed well to hold on to Tanakillappu area".

"According to ground troops terrorists have suffered very heavy casualties while troops too have suffered casualties due to intense fighting," the statement said.

"At present intense fighting continues in Ariyalai sector," the MoD said.