Lanka launch military operation in Mannar

Colombo, Sep 1: Sri Lankan security forces, backed by armoured vehicles and artillery bombardment, launched a military operation in the areas held by the Tamil Tiger rebels in the north-western Mannar district, Defence Ministry here said.

''The Security Forces launched a humanitarian operation today to 'liberate' the innocent civilians in Silavaturai, Mannar from the grip of the LTTE terrorists,'' Defence Ministry said in a statement without giving any further details.

There was no immediate reaction from the LTTE regarding the fresh military operation.

The fresh military onslaught came exactly a day after the government troops claimed to have conducted a limited pre-emptive operation ahead of their forward defences west of Omanthai entry/exit point and 'destroyed a direct LTTE offensive preparation.' Defence Ministry in a separate report claimed that 11 rebels were believed to have been killed and only nine soldiers were wounded during Friday's operation.

LTTE yesterday claimed that only one of their cadres was killed during a direct confrontation with the army.

UNI