Sri Lankan Army destroys LTTE supply route

By V.S.Sambandan

COLOMBO, MAY. 12. The Sri Lankan security forces today claimed that they have destroyed a ``main supply route'' and ``the main communication tower'' of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) near Pooneryn.

With fighting between the security forces and the Tigers raging for the third day, the Government said the Sangupiddy Jetty, ``the main supply route'' and the ``main communication tower'' of the rebels at Pooneryn were destroyed in a ``joint operation.''

Military manoeuvres by the Tigers and readjustment of defence lines by the security forces saw the army defence lines move at Ariyalai and Columbuthurai, in the southeastern municipal limits of Jaffna.

The number of soldiers killed in the present conflict rose to 42 and that of the Tigers to 167.

The Government said after a five-hour battle last afternoon which saw ``heavy volume of mortar fire'' by the LTTE at Ariyalai, ``its troops had to readjust their defences temporarily towards Colombuthurai east.'' Fighting was reported simultaneously from the Ariyalai and Tanankillappu sectors- both east of Jaffna.

The battle manoeuvres keep the options open for the Tigers to move in several directions, while maintaining a threat of a takeover of the town, populated by an estimated five lakh civilians. The impact of the fighting in the vicinity of the town is not known, as conflicting reports on internal civilian movement reached here.

The Tigers launched an attack in the Tanankillappu sector at around 2.00 p.m. The Government troops, ``supported by aircraft, MI-24 helicopter gunships and artillery, fought back causing heavy casualties among terrorist.'' The present situation is a pointer to intense battles in the days ahead. Prior to the latest fighting, the Tigers had advanced towards Kilali after overrunning the Iyakachchi- Elephant Pass gateway garrison by the end of last month.

The rebels have another route along the southeastern arm of the Peninsula with a presence at Nagar Kovil, from which a further advance would take them to Point Pedro. Further advances along these sectors would bring the northern Palaly airbase within the rebel artillery range.

With its presence in three sectors of the Peninsula, the Tigers could choose between moving in to Jaffna, or revert to either the Kilali or Nagar Kovil sectors. In addition to Jaffna town, the Palaly airbase is seen as a vital target pursued by the rebels. However, much of the course of the artillery advances would be dictated by the territorial gains made by the rebels.

Govt. denies reports

UNI, AP report:

Reports of rebel advance towards the Jaffna City Centre has been denied by the Government.

The Government spokesman, Mr. Ariya Rubasinghe, today dismissed the LTTE's claims that the rebels have overrun two military bases at Kovilakandy and Tanankilappu yesterday and were closing in on the Jaffna City Centre. He also denied reports that the Palaly Airbase is under attack.

Israel agrees to sell Kfir fighter planes

Israel has agreed to sell eight Kfir fighter planes for a total of $24 millions to Sri Lanka, an Israeli official said in Jerusalem today.

Israel Aircraft Industries will install the avionics systems before delivering the planes in the next six to 12 months, the official added.

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