Tigers overrun SLA defences in Chavakachcheri

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 16 May 2000, 09:30 GMT]
The Liberation Tigers overran the defences of the Sri Lanka army on the approach to Chavakachcheri, east of Jaffna town according military sources in Colombo. A press release by the Sri Lankan government's Media Centre said this afternoon that senior ground commanders of the SLA "shifted their defences to prepared positions to the north east" of the Thanangkilappu sector.

The Chavakachcheri town where a brigade of the SLA 52 Division is located is northeast of Thanangkilappu which was overrun by the Liberation Tigers last week. The media centre's press release today indicates that the army is pulling back to Chavakachcheri sources said.

Meanwhile, there were unconfirmed reports that the SLA camp at Nagar Kovil is being bombarded by the Tigers today.

The Voice of Tigers said this morning that the Liberation Tigers have called on the people in Jaffna town to move to safer areas urgently. They also asked people who have already moved out from Chavakachcheri town, Madduvil, Kilali and Kachchai to remain where they are now until further notice.