World | Other World Stories
Government troops enter district of Tamil Tigers' de facto capital
Sri Lankan government troops have entered the district housing the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto capital for the first time in 11 years, the military said on Saturday as a regional summit opened in the capital.
- AP
- Published: 21:22 August 2, 2008
Colombo: Sri Lankan government troops have entered the district housing the Tamil Tiger rebels' de facto capital for the first time in 11 years, the military said on Saturday as a regional summit opened in the capital.
Fierce new fighting between government forces and the rebels across the country's embattled northern region killed 35 rebels and 14 soldiers, the military said.
Leaders and officials from eight South Asian nations gathered yesterday in Colombo for an annual regional summit in which they are expected to approve accords on fighting terror, including freezing funds used for attacks.
The government sealed off roads and sent 19,000 troops and soldiers onto the streets of the capital to prevent any bombings. A rebel attack in the capital during the summit would be deeply embarrassing for the government.
Military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said army troops had crossed into Kilinochchi district, where the rebels' de facto capital is located, in fighting Thursday for the first time in 11 years.
He did not give details about casualties, but said troops had moved about one kilometre into the district.
Friday battles
Fighting also took place throughout Friday as army troops pushed into rebel-held territory in the Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar and Welioya regions, Nanayakkara said.
In the worst battle, 11 soldiers and nine rebels were killed in the village of Mallavi in Mullaitivu, he said.
Fighting in Vavuniya killed 12 rebels and one soldier, he said.
Furthermore, scattered battles in Mannar and Welioya killed 14 insurgents and two soldiers.
Rebel spokesman Rasiah Ilanthirayan was not immediately available for comment. Both sides routinely exaggerate enemy casualties and underreport their own. Independent verification of the fighting is not possible because journalists are barred from the war zone.
The fresh fighting along the front lines of the 20-year-old civil war comes despite a declaration from rebels that they would observe a unilateral cease-fire from July 26 in honour of the summit. However, the rebels have said they would defend themselves if attacked.
The government rejected the cease-fire gesture, saying the rebels are trying to buy themselves time to regroup after a series of battlefield losses.
More from Other World Stories
More from World
News Editor's choice
-
6,000 cups and counting: Addicted to that tea
This cafeteria in Al Mamzar attracts thousands of customers daily, including the rich and not so rich
-
Swimming pool horror: Twins hospitalised
Twins rushed to hospital after collapsing from chlorine inhalation at swimming pool in their villa
-
Play your cards right with credit card interest
UAE Central Bank plans to cap interest rates, but are you paying thirty-five per cent now?
