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TWO MORE MILITARY BASES FALL TO TIGERS: ELEPHANT PASS SOUTHERN DEFENCES COLLAPSE

The well-fortified defences around the southern sector of Elephant Pass military complex have crumbled following the fall of two more military bases to the LTTE in the area between Paranthan and Elephant Pass.

The Paranthan chemical factory base, which housed the 546 Brigade headquarters and the Kurakkan Kadukulam army camp were brought under the control of the Tamil Tiger fighters after fierce fighting that lasted for several hours yesterday. The stiff resistance of the Sri Lankan troops collapsed as the LTTE fighting units mounted heavy barrage of artillery and mortar bombardment. When the military buildings collapsed due to the intensity of the shelling, the Sri Lankan troops fled to Elephant Pass central base in total disarray. With the fall of these two bases, the entire Paranthan region, which constituted the southern defence perimeter of the Elephant Pass base complex, has been brought under the control of the LTTE.

Having overrun the naval supply bases and army camps that formed the defence structures of the north-eastern and southern flanks of the massive Elephant Pass base complex, the LTTE fighting units have begun a concerted artillery attack today on the central base camp which houses the military headquarters of the Sri Lankan army's 54 Division.

Yes, what happened to that bullet to Kili that Fonny guy was talking about firing this week?

I didn't know he made such a comment... Pee lamaya, please give us the link!

PARANTHAN MILITARY BASE FALLS TO LTTE:
SRI LANKAN ARMY SUFFERS FURTHER DEBACLE

Paranthan army camp, situated strategically on the southern sector of Elephant Pass base complex, has fallen to the LTTE fighters today after intense fighting that lasted more than 24 hours. Paranthan junction and its surrounding areas are now under the control of the LTTE fighters.

The battle for Paranthan began in the early hours of yesterday when the fighting formations of the Tamil Tigers launched a concerted assault on the garrison town with artillery and mortar fire. The LTTE fighting units, which quickly overran the front defence lines, engaged the Sri Lankan troops in fierce fighting that lasted several hours. Unable to withstand the fury of the Tigers' massive onslaught the Sri Lankan troops withdrew from the town in total disarray. Having inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy troops the LTTE fighters recovered vast quantities of arms, ammunition and military vehicles. The fall of Paranthan, the well-fortified military position guarding the southern periphery of the Elephant Pass complex, has exposed the main base to serious threat.

In the meantime special commando units of the LTTE have overrun the naval bases at Kerativu and Sangupitty in Chavakacheri sector and recovered a huge haul of arms including sophisticated radar equipment. In the fighting an airforce MI 24-gunship helicopter was brought down by the Tamil guerrillas over the Kilalli lagoon. The LTTE fighting units have also intensified artillery and mortar attacks on the Sri Lankan army positions and artillery bases in the Thenmarachi sector of the Jaffna peninsula.

78 LTTE cadres, including 31 women fighters have died in the current campaign to liberate the Jaffna peninsula.

TWO MORE MILITARY BASES FALL TO TIGERS: ELEPHANT PASS SOUTHERN DEFENCES COLLAPSE

LTTE LEADER CALLS UPON SRI LANKA TO END MILITARY OPPRESSION FOR PEACE TALKS

Mr. Velupillai Pirapaharan, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), in his annual Martyrs' Day message, called upon the Sri Lanka government to de-escalate the armed conflict by ending military aggression and occupation of the Tamil homeland and initiate peace talks under conditions of normalcy for a negotiated political settlement of the Tamil conflict.

'Though the LTTE stands today as a formidable force. with the military capability to liberate our homeland, we have not abandoned the path of peace. We want to resolve the Tamil conflict through peaceful means through civilised methods without recourse to bloodbath and destruction of life', Mr. Pirapaharan declared.

The Tamil Tiger leader emphasised that peace talks cannot be held under the conditions of war, military aggression, occupation and economic strangulation of the Tamil nation. He accused Chandrika Kumaratunga government of having utilised these oppressive methods as tactics of pressure to subjugate the Tamils. Mr. Pirapaharan said that peace talks should be held in a peaceful cordial atmosphere of mutual trust with the assistance of international third party mediation. He defines peaceful atmosphere as 'a condition of normalcy characterised by cessation of armed hostilities, withdrawal of troops occupying the Tamil lands and the absence of economic blockades'.

The LTTE leader also expressed grave doubts whether Sinhala chauvinistic leaders would seek a negotiated settlement by renouncing the path of military violence and terror against the Tamils. This anti-Tamil racial politics offers no alternative to the Tamils other than to fight and establish an independent Tamil state, Mr. Pirapaharan declared.

The following are extracts from the translated text of Mr. Pirapaharan's speech.

'Our current military successes have surprised and astounded the world. This is a unique historical achievement in the art of contemporary warfare. The dimensions of this military victory have not only amazed our enemy but also astonished several international countries that have been actively helping Sri Lanka's war effort by providing training, arms and funds.