Tigers assault garrisons on Jaffna coast

[TamilNet, Monday, 27 March 2000, 04:14 GMT]
Heavy fighting erupted on Jaffna's southeastern coast last night when the Liberation Tigers launched simultaneous attacks on the Sri Lankan army's garrisons at Thalaiyadi and Maamunai. Civilians wounded in the cross fire who were brought from the area to the Manthikai hospital this morning said that the Liberation Tigers have moved into the two coastal villages.

Sri Lankan military sources in Pt.Pedro said that reinforcements have begun a two pronged operation towards Thalaiyadi. One contingent is moving from the SLA garrison at Nagar Kovil and the other along the Puthukkaadu - Maruthankerni road to the west of the A9 highway (Kandy road).

Residents of Mamunai and Thalaiyadi who fled the fighting told the Tamilnet's Vadamardchi correspondent that the Liberation Tigers have advanced up to Punnaiyadi on the coast, two kilometers north of Thalaiyadi. They said that the Tigers are not allowing anyone to pass beyond Punnaiyadi towards Maamunai or Thalaiyadi.

The SLA in Pt.Pedro, however, denied reports that its garrisons at Maamunai and Thalaiyadi have been overrun by the Tigers. Military sources said that there was heavy fighting but refused to give any details.

The civilians wounded in the cross fire last night at Thalaiyadi and Maamunai and admitted to the Manthikai hospital this morning are:

Thavagnagam Vathanarasan, 20, Vairavipillai Vijayakumar, 36, Kesavagnanam, 52, Sebamalai David, 9, Thevarasa Rani, 47, J.Therasamma, 40, V.Subajini, 31 and V. Pakkiyam, 65.