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SRI LANKA FORCES CAPTURE MALLAWI, THE KEY TO TAKE TIGER CAPITAL KILINOCHCHI

By Walter Jayawardhana

Sri Lanka Security forces in the midst of heavy fighting entered and captured one of Tamil Tigers’ most strategic garrison towns, Mallawi considered a key to take over Kilinochchi, the de-facto LTTE capital, the state owned Independent Television Network reported.

Mallawi town located West of Maankulam has been a stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the birth place of Madhivadini, the higher caste wife of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, the news service of the state owned TV announced.

The capture has completely blocked Thunukkai Mallavi supply route used by the LTTE the TV station further said. “It is also the nearest route to enter Kilinochchi from the Wanni and a strategically important LTTE garrison. Its capture blocks the Thunukkai–Mallavi supply route used by the LTTE,”the broadcast further reported.

Further reporting said, Troops of the 57th Division raised the Lion’s flag after capturing the location. All areas in the Mallavi town are under the control of the Army. With its fall, the LTTE had also lost an important hospital used to treat injured cadres. Mallavi is situated along the Vellankulam-Maankulam main road linking the Mannar-Pooneryn A-32 main road and the Kandy-Jaffna A-9 trunk road. The troops are confident that the capture of Mallavi will facilitate in overrunning Kilinochchi, the TV broadcast said quoting army sources.

Infantry, armour and artillery formations of the Army's 57 Division have overrun LTTE forward defences and entered into general area Mallawi in Mullaittivu district, following fierce fighting since the morning of August 31. the Defence Ministry said..

According to the Defence Ministry , troops have gained control over key LTTE outposts in the area and positioned tactically in the the garrison township, despite heavy resistance from LTTE.
Initial reports from Wanni military sources further said that the troops are engaging heavy artillery and increasing the forward thrust into the Mallavi town area.

Pro-LTTE media have remained tightlipped and declined to comment on the latest ground situation, defence observes further noted.

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