DATE=12/17/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA / BASE (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-257249
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have
captured a key military camp in northern Sri
Lanka and have also shot down an air force
helicopter gunship killing four airmen. Vandana
Chopra has the details from Colombo.
TEXT: Tamil Tiger rebels say they captured the
Paranthan camp after 24 hours of intense
fighting. The camp had been the target of rebel
attacks since Saturday.
The Paranthan camp is important to both sides
because it is near the Elephant Pass, a strategic
causeway that links the Jaffna peninsula in the
north of the country with the rest of Sri Lanka.
If the rebels succeed in capturing the pass, they
would be able to use it as a platform to carry
out attacks on the peninsula. Jaffna, a former
rebel stronghold, was captured by government
forces in 1996.
Meanwhile, defense ministry says the Tigers also
shot down a Russian-made air force plane, killing
all four on board.
The helicopter was on a mission to attack rebels
clearing a military bunker line near Paranthan
when it came under fire and crashed into a nearby
lagoon.
The defense ministry statement says Sri Lankan
troops also repulsed attacks at Paranthan with
the help of helicopter gunships. Military
officials say 11 soldiers were killed and 60
wounded in fighting on Thursday; 17 rebels were
also killed.
Fighting in Sri Lanka's north and east has
intensified ahead of presidential elections next
week.
Independent confirmation of events is not
possible as journalists are not allowed in the
war-torn areas.
Tiger separatists have been fighting for a
separate homeland for the minority Tamil
community in Sri Lanka's North and East since
1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/KL
17-Dec-1999 12:54 PM EDT (17-Dec-1999 1754 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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