Lankan troops close in on disputed irrigation canal

Colombo, July 30 (UNI) Sri Lankan Army has closed in on the sluice gate closed down by the LTTE, the government's defence spokesman and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said today.

''Troops are now at Mavilaru. They will move slowly to remove booby trapped devices before opening the sluice gates,'' Mr Rambukwella said.

The troop advancement began today after four days of air strikes backed by heavy artillery fire at the LTTE.

The military claimed that the aim of the air attacks were to dislodge the LTTE from the rebel held Verugal area in the eastern Trincomalee district in order to facilitate the engineers to open he gates in the Verugal river.

The government says the gate must somehow be opened as the villagers in the surrounding government controlled areas have been left without water for the last 10 days.

Mr Rambukwella said the military attacks began only after failed negotiations while the LTTE after the third day of government air raids said that they would retaliate if the attacks continued.

Mr Rambukwella said the area was an open field and the troops as a result ran the risk of getting caught in the event of the LTTE deciding to hit back.

UNI XC PR DB2008