E-Paper
Sri Lankan Army 6 km away from last LTTE hideout
Making a final push to overrun the last patch of LTTE-held territory, Sri Lankan forces today captured strategic Vlayarmadam area and encircled remaining six sq km strip of land which is the possible hideout of LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides.
Making a final push to overrun the last patch of LTTE-held territory, Sri Lankan forces today captured strategic Vlayarmadam area and encircled remaining six sq km strip of land which is the possible hideout of LTTE Supremo Velupillai Prabhakaran and his top aides.
“Sri Lankan soldiers have liberated Valayarmadam area and so far rescued 500 civilians held hostage by LTTE from there,” the defence ministry said today.
According to the defence sources, Army Commandos and Special Forces soldiers backed by infantrymen of 10 Sri Lanka Light Infantry and 12 Gemunu Watch last evening entered into Valayarmadam area, located just six km from Vellamullivaikkal, the last remaining LTTE hideout.
“Troops declared the area fully secured this morning,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, LTTE’s political head B Nadesan has denied the charges that his group was forcibly recruiting children as fighters to confront the government forces.
“LTTE political head B Nadesan has categorically denied recruitment and arming children as young as 12 to fight alongside the Tigers as alleged by news reports citing the UN,” the pro-rebel Tamilnet website said.
The UN Colombo office accusation coincides with the visit of the Emergency Relief Coordinator of the UN and Under-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes.