DATE=9/3/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKA/FIGHTING (L-O)
NUMBER=2-266098
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Fighting has resumed in Sri Lanka's northern
Jaffna peninsula, where government forces have
launched a fresh offensive. Vandana Chopra reports
from Colombo the fiercest fighting in months is
occurring as government troops try to recapture
territory lost to Tamil rebels earlier this year.
TEXT: Sri Lankan military officials say many
combatants were killed and hundreds were injured when
troops launched a fresh onslaught against Tamil
guerillas in northern Sri Lanka.
The officials say government forces are trying to push
back long-range rebel guns in the Jaffna peninsula
with a two-pronged assault.
There was no immediate comment from the government on
rebel casualties, but officials say the guerillas
offered stiff resistance.
// OPT // The state radio says security forces had
retaken the towns of Puttur and Chavakachcheri in
northern Jaffna. // END OPT //
The Tamil rebels made significant inroads into the
Jaffna peninsula during April and May.
Independent confirmation of battle information is
difficult to obtain because journalists are not
allowed in battle areas and Sri Lanka's government
censors journalists.
Meanwhile, the island nation's political parties are
working furiously to meet the Monday deadline for
nominations for the October 10th general elections
Police officials say security in the capital, Colombo
and other areas has been tightened. Security
checkpoints are being erected all over the island.
The new government offensive breaks a three-month lull
after the army stopped the rebels from retaking
Jaffna.
Tamil separatists have been waging a war for an
independent homeland in Sri Lanka's north and east
since 1983. (SIGNED)
NEB/VC/RAE
03-Sep-2000 12:33 PM EDT (03-Sep-2000 1633 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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