Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 974 Sun. February 25, 2007  
   
International


Lanka troops take Tiger bases


Sri Lankan troops overran three Tamil Tiger rebel bases this week, the defence ministry said yesterday after the guerrillas declared a five-year-old ceasefire all but dead.

The ministry said security forces carried out a three-day operation around Friday's truce anniversary in the eastern coastal district of Trincomalee where it accused the rebels of attacking troops and civilians.

"During the past 72 hours the army, supported by artillery and mortars, successfully neutralised the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) build-up, including three LTTE bases in the Kumburuppiddi jungles.

"Troops are still continuing their search and clearing operations to provide safety and security for the civilians and troops," the ministry said in a statement.