Fierce fighting continues

[TamilNet, Saturday, 30 May 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Eleven Sri Lankan Army (SLA) soldiers have been killed and over hundred wounded in the latest fighting between the Liberation Tigers and the troops of Operation Jeyasikurui which erupted Thursday morning, said SLA sources in Vavuniya.

At least 6 SLA soldiers were killed and 68 were wounded in the fierce fighting in Kara Patta Murippu, said sources.

Kara Patta Murippu is an interior village on the Mankulam - Mullaitheevu road, 10 km east of strategic Mankulam junction.

Despite heavy resistance from the Tigers, the troops have succeeded in capturing new area and are now consolidating these positions, they added

However, they declined to reveal further details of troops movement.

Meanwhile, the Voice of Tigers said in its morning broadcast that fierce fighting was continuing near Ampakamam, 7 km north of Kara Patta Murippu.

Sounds of Artillery fire and explosions were heard last night. Helicopter gunships were flying several sorties towards the forward areas, said sources in Vavuniya.

Meanwhile four SLA soldiers were killed in Aranthalawa, in Mahaoya on the border of the Ampara and Batticalao districts, when the Liberation Tigers ambushed a group of soldiers this morning.