SL Army liberates Kadiraveli- Batticaloa

Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka

Advancing SL Army troops reached Kadiraveli Town , 11km North of Vakarai overcoming the stiff resistance of the LTTE terrorists this afternoon (Saturday the 20th of January). Two strongholds of the LTTE terrorists at Kadiraveli and Kottalamadu have been fallen to the army elite forces. The Batticaloa- Trincomalee main road (A-15) has now been completely liberated and the clearing operations are continuing.

It has been further reported that 11 terrorists have surrendered themselves to the Security forces during the battle. The rest of the LTTE cadres are reportedly withdrawing into the jungles in West of Vakarai and South of Mavil Aru.

Following their defeat at Vakarai yesterday the LTTE terrorists had withdrew further northward and stationed themselves at Kadiraveli and Verugal areas. The terrorists have been firing mortar shells intermittently, at the Army troops who were consolidating their defences at Vakarai and Ichchalanpaththuwa areas since last evening. Four soldiers were killed and three others suffered injuries at Ichchalanpatththuwa in one such attack yesterday.

Meanwhile, the army troops continued their forward thrust clearing profuse mine fields and under showers of Mortar shells towards Kadiraveli since last night. The latest reports from east indicate that Army commandos and Special Forces' personnel have now linked up their advances at the Kadiraveli Town.

SL Army keeping their elite troops in the forefront advanced into the LTTE strong holds in Vakarai from three frontiers that commenced from Paniachchankerni, Thrikonamadu and Mahindapura. The Vanguards of the three frontiers have reportedly linked up at Kadiraveli and consolidating their defence.

The reports further indicate that de-mining operations undertaken by the Army Engineers in newly liberated areas in Vakarai and in Upparu are continuing in spite of the ongoing defensive operations. Government authorities said that resettlement of civilians will be commenced as soon as the areas are declared safe by the security forces.

Sri Lanka Armed forces launched a defensive operation early this month to liberate the LTTE held areas in Vakarai since the terrorist outfit had been continuously attacking at the security forces and the civilian settlements at Kaju Watta, Mankerni, Mahindapura, Kallar, and Somapura areas since September, 2005.

The terrorists used heavy mortars and artillery in these attacks taking cover of the human shield that was forcibly held in Vakarai, Verugal and Kadiraveli areas. A large number of civilians were killed and injured in day to day basis while the security forces had to stretch a painful patience amid the soaring number of own casualty and death figures. The situation turned to a harsh human catastrophe when thousands of civilians started fleeing into the government controlled areas from the clutches of the terrorists since November, 2005.

More details will follow

Earlier evidence that LTTE fired mortar and artillery taking cover of innocent civilians have been proved as the troops found mortar pits around the Vakarai hospital