75 combatants killed - military

[TamilNet, Friday, 15 October 1999, 10:18 GMT]
Sri Lankan military officials said this afternoon 75 combatants have been killed during fighting in the Vanni region and off the Mullaitivu coast in the 24 hours up to midday today.

They said 30 Liberation Tigers and 15 Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed in clashes at Ampakamam yesterday which began around 11 a.m., and added 85 soldiers and many Tigers were wounded in the fighting.

According to the military officials, SLA troops recovered the bodies of 23 Liberation Tigers, along with fifteen T-56 assault rifles, a machinegun and two mines.

SLA sources in the north earlier told TamilNet that 27 SLA soldiers had been killed in yesterday's fighting in the Olumadu-Ampakamam region.

The military officials also said they believe 30 Tigers were killed in a sea battle off the north-eastern coast. Three LTTE boats were destroyed and another was damaged, according to them

Meanwhile the SLA has informed government officials in Vavuniya that food convoys to the Vanni region has been suspended until further notice said sources.

Yesterday morning 350 civilians who had come to the Vavuniya Kachcheri to travel to the LTTE held Vanni region were not granted permission the sources said.

They said the SLA had refused permission for civilian movement yesterday along the Vavuniya - Mankulam trunk road. The SLA said a culvert, which was damaged in heavy rains, is under repair.