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DATE=9/4/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=LANKAN FIGHTING / L-O
NUMBER=2-266114
BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA
DATELINE=COLOMBO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: More than 230 soldiers and Tamil Tiger rebels 
have been killed in new fighting in Sri Lanka's 
northern Jaffna region.  Government forces launched an 
offensive there Sunday, to recapture territory lost to 
the rebels, earlier this year. Vandana Chopra has the 
details from Colombo.
TEXT:  The state radio says the Tiger rebels suffered 
heavy losses and a large number of Tiger fighters have 
been trapped in the areas that had been captured by 
the armed forces.
A defense ministry statement says the operation was 
launched to give better protection to Jaffna City and 
expand the areas held by security forces.
The rebels made significant inroads into the Jaffna 
Peninsula during April and May.
In a statement from their London headquarters, rebel 
guerrillas say they faced heavy artillery bombardment 
on five fronts in the Jaffna and Chavakachcheri 
sectors of the peninsula.
The rebels say they faced superior firepower from land 
and air and their combat formations put up fierce 
resistance, inflicting what they say were heavy 
casualties on the government troops.
Military officials say the guerrillas are withdrawing 
over 200 units from the northern Wanni region to 
replace their casualties.
Independent confirmation of battle information is 
difficult to obtain because journalists are not 
allowed in battle areas and Sri Lanka's government 
censors coverage.
Meanwhile, the state newspaper -- the "Daily News" --  
says the Tamil Tigers are attempting to field some of 
their members as candidates for the October Tenth 
parliament elections. 
The newspaper says the separatists brought pressure on 
some political parties to replace their original 
nominees with rebel representatives.
Police officials say security in the capital, Colombo, 
and other areas has been tightened and checkpoints are 
being erected throughout the island.
The Tiger guerrillas have been fighting a war for a 
separate homeland for the minority Tamil community in 
Sri Lanka's north and east, since 1983.
(SIGNED)
NEB / VC / WD
04-Sep-2000 06:09 AM LOC (04-Sep-2000 1009 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.