DATE=12/12/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SRI LANKA BATTLES (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257070
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Tamil Tiger rebels say only 15 of their cadres
have been killed in recent battles,
refuting government claims on Saturday that 230 rebels
were killed in an attack on a strategic military camp
in Northern Sri Lanka. The rebels also claim they are
threatening an important pass in northern Sri Lanka.
Vandana Chopra has the details from Colombo.
TEXT: Government military officials say the Sri
Lankan Army repulsed rebel attempts to breach
forward defense lines in the western sector of the
strategic Elephant Pass. The area is approximately 285
kilometers north of the Sri Lankan capital, Colombo.
The Elephant Pass military complex lies on the
causeway that links the mainland of Sri Lanka with the
Northern Jaffna peninsula. Military officials have
said that if the rebels capture the pass they would
directly threaten the northern city of Jaffna.
The Defense Ministry statement earlier said government
troops, aided by the air force and navy, repulsed
rebel attempts to breach the camp's defenses and
prevented guerillas in boats from invading the
military base.
However, in a statement issued from its London
headquarters, Tiger rebels claimed they penetrated
army defense lines.
Government officials say at least eight security force
soldiers were killed and 101 injured in the attack.
Meanwhile, Tamil Tiger rebels warned civilians in a
broadcast on the clandestine Voice of Tiger Radio to
move away from the vicinity of the fighting at
Elephant Pass camp.
In another statement from their London office Tiger
rebels denied government claims of earlier this
weekend that 230 rebels had been killed in recent
fighting. The rebels put their casualty figure much
lower and said only 15 Tamil Tigers had been killed.
In recent weeks , Tiger guerillas have intensified
attacks on government outposts. Last month, in a
planned offensive, the guerillas launched attacks on
Pallamadu, Periyamadu, Palampiddy and Madu and
overran the government military bases in these areas.
Independent confirmation of events is not possible as
journalists are not allowed in the areas where the
fighting is going on.
Tiger separatists are fighting for a separate homeland
for the minority Tamil community in Sri Lanka's north
and east. (Signed)
NEB/VC/PLM
TEXT:
NEB/WTW/
12-Dec-1999 07:16 AM EDT (12-Dec-1999 1216 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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