DATE=11/26/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA HEROES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-256548
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels are releasing
seven government soldiers, Saturday, to commemorate
their annual rememberance week. Vandana Chopra has the
details from Colombo.
TEXT: The clandestine Voice of Tigers radio, the rebel
radio station, says the prisoners of war will be
released to coincide with the culmination of their
"Heroes week" celebrations.
Red Cross officials say Tiger guerillas will hand over
the government soldiers to them, on Saturday.
Tiger rebels are believed to be holding hundreds of
prisoners of war.
Heroes Week is an annual event celebrated by the Tiger
guerillas to honor thousands of their comrades killed
in the 16 year old civil war.
The week long celebration usually ends with a speech
by the rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran, who turns
45 years of age Friday.
Government analysts say the speech assumes added
significance this year because of the recent
battlefield successes of the rebels in Northern Sri
Lanka.
Tiger guerillas wrested control of key military bases
in a matter of days from the government with the Sri
Lankan military suffering its worst defeat in years.
The capital Colombo has been placed under a tight
security blanket. Police officials say security has
also been beefed up at key government and
military installations.
Tiger guerillas have been fighting for a separate
homeland for the minority Tamil community in Sri
Lanka's North and East since 1983. (Signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
26-Nov-1999 06:17 AM EDT (26-Nov-1999 1117 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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