WANNI & WELIOYA: VALIANT TROOPS of the Task Force – 2 and 59 Division troops in WANNI and WELIOYA after a series of sustained encounters with terrorists for over two months, bagged PALAMODDAI area, to the west of A-9 Road, near OMANTHAI and also ULATHUVELY beach area, about 4 km to the north of KOKKUTUDUVAI in the WELIOYA front Thursday (28) afternoon separately, giving one more slap and setback to the orgy of LTTE terrorism.

Tiger terrorists fast losing their strongholds in WANNI in the recent few weeks applied every possible means to resist the fall of PALAMODDAI, to the north of VAVUNIYA in view of its strategic location. As the last resort, Tiger terrorists have reportedly brought down the well-known fighting cadre, LAWRENCE from JAFFNA to the defences at PALAMODDAI at any cost, but advance of the troops dashed their last hope for defence of this vital village area.
Significantly, troops of the Task Force – 2, led by Brigadier ROHANA BANDARA, since its induction to the area on 15th July 2008 have been fighting it out ferociously and were used to fell at least 2-3 terrorists on a daily basis, but the Tigers, poised to defend their positions to the west of the A-9 Highway, went on bringing in reinforcements and further fortified their defences, with fresh supplies that were brought largely along VANNIVILANKULAM – MUNDURIMURIPPU road.

In fact, Tiger terrorists were giving “protection” to their fellow-terrorists who were holding on to the areas north of OMANTHAI while trying to impede the advance of troops into PALAMODDAI territory. The creditable performance of the Army in the north western sector is due to valiant troops of the Task Force – 2 , and 59 Division, now fast moving towards KILINOCHCHI.

Simultaneous advances to the north of KOKKUTODUVAI led by heroic troops under command of the 59 Division led by Brigadier NANDANA UDAWATTA, General Officer Commanding by Thursday (28) afternoon completed the capture of ULATHUVELY area, about 4 km, north of KOKKUTODUVAI. The strategically important beach front, thus cleared would be under the full control of the troops making another phase of progress. Earlier, troops were stationed on their defences, about 2 km to the west of the beach edge between CHEMMALAI and KOKKUTODUVAI.

Troops, now determinedly and fearlessly forging their way ahead in different fronts under the able command of Lieutenant General SARATH FONSEKA, Army Commander and Major General JAGATH JAYASURIYA, Commander Security Forces, WANNI made significant strides on to areas, west of A-9 Highway and east of TUNUKKAI in the past two weeks, bringing humiliating defeats to the terrorists. The latest fall of NAVVI, PALAMODDAI and ULUTTUVELI comes on the heels of many protest campaigns, being staged in many foreign capitals against Tiger terrorism.

source: Army.lk

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