Date:18/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/18/stories/2007111855191400.htm

International

LTTE offensive thwarted

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: At least 21 LTTE cadres and two civilians were killed in clashes in the north in the last 24 hours, the military claimed. The Defence Ministry said 15 cadres were killed as troops “neutralised LTTE offensive bids” at Wanni and the northern defences.

The Tigers alleged that the Air Force bombed a“.. private boat factory ‘Cholai’ owned by S Mahenthiran [which] manufactured fiberglass boats used by fishermen. It is a boatyard registered with the Sri Lanka Government.”