DATE=6/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA REBELS / L-O
NUMBER=2-263038
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Sri Lanka's deputy defense minister says new
weapon systems and a fresh counterattack has prevented
the Tamil Tiger rebels from taking control of the
northern Jaffna Peninsula. Vandana Chopra has more
from Colombo.
TEXT: Anuruddha Ratwatte says the new weapon systems
have given a great deal of encouragement to the
soldiers on the battlefront and have helped lift their
morale.
In an interview in the state-run newspaper, "Daily
News," Mr. Ratwatte says President Chandrika
Kumaratunga contacted leaders of friendly countries
for arms and succeeded in obtaining the latest and
best weaponry.
Since the fall of the key Elephant Pass military
complex in April, the government has earmarked 160
million dollars for arms and ammunition.
Mr. Ratwatte says thousands of troops in the Jaffna
Peninsula are attacking guerrilla positions.
He said the 30 thousand troops in Jaffna were under
low morale and had been in a withdrawal mode since
November, when the rebels captured 10 key army bases
in just five days. He says he has told the security
forces that, from now on, "forward" is the only
permissible direction.
Mr. Ratwatte says Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran
will not be able to take Jaffna -- even in five years.
The northern battlefield has been largely quiet for
the last couple of days, after fierce fighting raged
for days in the northern Jaffna Peninsula. The rebels
have been trying to regain their former stronghold --
Jaffna City -- they lost to government forces in 1996.
Mr. Ratwatte is also calling for deserters to return
to duty.
Last week, Sri Lanka also announced an amnesty for
deserters and asked military volunteers, retired
officers and reserves to sign up.
Meanwhile, the director of government information says
troops repulsed attack on security forces defenses at
Colombuthurai and Sarasalai in northern Jaffna.
The Tamil rebels have been fighting for a separate
homeland in Sri Lanka since 1983. (Signed)
NEB / VC / WD
01-Jun-2000 06:17 AM EDT (01-Jun-2000 1017 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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