Date:06/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/06/stories/2008110677771200.htm

International

Akkarayankulam captured: Sri Lanka

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's military on Wednesday said advancing infantry battalions of the 57th Division have overrun the Akkarayankulam built-up area, 9 km away from Kilinochchi.

A Defence Ministry statement said many LTTE cadre were killed and injured. Over a week ago, the military decided not to publish casualty figures, saying this move could be detrimental to its battle plans. It said that soldiers on the western flank entered the area initially, followed by a swift incursion by the troops from south of the battlefront.

Akkarayankulam area is the main LTTE concentration point southwest of Kilinochchi town area, it said. The latest triumph is expected to add momentum to the military surge towards the LTTE heartland, defence observers state, it added.

The Ministry said 28 civilians, who had escaped from LTTE-held areas, have sought its protection in Jaffna. A Navy patrol boat, which detected two boats in the northern seas, rushed to their assistance and accompanied them ashore. Those who escaped said civilians living in non-liberated areas in the north have to undergo severe hardships as a result of the LTTE's activities, which include extortion and conscription of youngsters, said the military.

Though the majority of civilians are willing to flee from the LTTE's grip, many have to end up their journey in LTTE prisons. After being imprisoned, these civilians are being forcibly used to construct bunkers in the forward defences, it said.

As the battles intensify, the government has been planning to establish a humanitarian corridor to facilitate safe passage of civilians trapped in the warzone. However, the plan has not materialised till date.

In a report posted on its website, the LTTE said: Visit any school in Wanni and its enrolment would have bulged in recent times taking in the IDP children. Many schools have started operating two shorter sessions to manage the bulging student size. Yet, many of the schools face shortage of classrooms and smaller classes are forced out to be conducted under trees.

Separately, the pro-LTTE TamilNet claimed said 10 Sri Lankan Special Task Force commandos were killed on Tuesday when they were ambushed by an elite commando unit of the Jayanthan Brigade of the Tigers in a counter-attack, which took place at Koappaave'li in Batticaloa.