DATE=5/15/99
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-249407
TITLE=LANKA/KILL (L-ONLY)
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: AT LEAST 44 TAMIL TIGER REBELS AND GOVERNMENT SOLDIERS
WERE KILLED AND 37 WOUNDED IN FIERCE FIGHTING IN NORTHWESTERN SRI
LANKA. VANDANA CHOPRA HAS THE DETAILS FROM COLOMBO.
TEXT: MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY SECURITY FORCES LAUNCHED AN ATTACK
ON A HEAVILY-FORTIFIED DEFENSE LINE OF THE TAMIL TIGER REBELS IN
THE NORTHERN WANNI REGION, FRIDAY AND CAPTURED IT AFTER FIERCE
FIGHTING.
THE CLANDESTINE VOICE OF TIGER RADIO SAYS FIVE SOLDIERS, EARLIER
REPORTED MISSING BY THE ARMY, HAD BEEN KILLED IN FRIDAY'S
FIGHTING AND WILL BE RETURNED TO THE MILITARY THROUGH THE RED
CROSS.
MILITARY OFFICIALS SAY THE SEARCH OPERATION IN THE AREA
CONTINUES.
MEANWHILE, NINE TIGER REBELS AND SOLDIERS WERE KILLED IN MINOR
INCIDENTS IN THE NORTH AND EAST.
IRREGULAR CLASHES HAVE ERUPTED IN RECENT MONTHS, BUT NO MAJOR
BATTLES HAVE BEEN REPORTED BETWEEN TROOPS AND REBELS.
INDEPENDENT CONFIRMATION OF EVENTS IS NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE
JOURNALISTS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE WAR-TORN AREAS.
TAMIL TIGER REBELS HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS FOR A
SEPARATE HOMELAND FOR THE MINORITY TAMIL COMMUNITY IN SRI LANKA'S
NORTH AND EAST. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/GE
15-May-99 10:17 AM EDT (1417 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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