SLA operation in Thandiyadi

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 26 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Sri Lankan army troops moved into the Paduvankarai region late last night for an operation in the Thandiyadi area, according to sources close to the SLA.

However, the SLA units returned to their base before dawn, said sources, adding that the purpose of the operation is not clear.

The LTTE have one of their their war dead memorials (Thuyilum Illam) at Thandiyadi. A Maveerar Day function was expected to have been held at Thandiyadi.

Some ex-militants working with the SLA in Batticaloa district said that a large unit of the Razeek group was still in the area and that it is expected to return this evening.

This report could not be independently confirmed.

Razeek was (and is still believed to be) a senior member of the EPRLF and led an assassination unit under the IPKF known as the Mandayan group.

The Razeek group runs a camp in the Batticaloa town with about 150 members, 120 of whom draw salaries as full time soldiers of the Sri Lankan army.

The group operates under supervision of the local unit of the Sri Lankan military intelligence.