Another SLA move towards Maavilarau thwarted - Elilan

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 August 2006, 08:21 GMT]
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Wednesday morning successfully repulsed another advance made by troopers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) towards the area where Maavilaru sluice gate is located. SLA troopers withdrew to their position amid heavy artillery fire and mortar attack by the LTTE, said S.Elilan, LTTE Trincomalee district political head.

Maavilaru is located in the LTTE held territory.

Maavilaru sluice gate was opened Tuesday evening around 5 p.m. by civil representatives and Mr.Elilan and the opening news was immediately conveyed to the Norwegian facilitators by about 5:30 p.m.

The media co-ordinating unit of the SLA claimed Wednesday morning that the SLA troopers had opened the Maavilaru sluice gate Tuesday night around 8:30 p.m.

Mr.Elilan dismissed the SLA claim as "ludicrous" and said LTTE was in control of the Maavilaru area.