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DATE=09/29/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=LANKA/REBELS (L-O)

NUMBER=2-267237

BYLINE=VANDANA CHOPRA

DATELINE=COLOMBO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Sri Lanka's Tamil Tiger rebels have asked civilians to evacuate large areas in the northern Jaffna region, where heavy fighting is in progress. Vandana Chopra has details from Colombo.

TEXT: The rebel radio mouthpiece, Voice of Tiger radio, has asked civilians around the town of Koddikamam and other urban areas to move to safer areas.

Koddikamam is the third largest town in Jaffna peninsula, on the main highway linking Jaffna to the rest of the island. It is 15 kilometres north of the battlefront.

A military spokesperson in Colombo says there have been four rebel assaults against the army's southern most defenses in the peninsula since sundown Thursday.

Military officials say the rebels were unable to reach the main defence lines and the troops ambush caused heavy casualties.

Security officials the airforce jets also bombed the strategic Elephant Pass camp which the rebels captured in April.

Ferocious battles have gripped Sri Lanka's north as Tamil Tiger rebels launched a counter-attack in response to a fresh military offensive. Both sides are reported to have suffered heavy casualties in the fighting.

A pro-rebel website says the Tigers also cut supply lines to the key Kilali naval camp and army defenses near the towns of Pallai and Nagarkovil were under pressure.

Independent verification of battle is not possible as journalists are not allowed in the war torn areas.

Heavy fighting in the last few days began when the army launched a brief offensive to open a new supply route to Chavakacheri, the second biggest town in the northern Jaffna region. Tamil Tiger guerillas responded with fierce counterattacks.

The military's losses are its first reversal since the government offensive started on September third, a day before election campaigning began.

The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have been fighting since 1984 for a separate homeland for minority Tamils in predominantly Sinhalese Sri Lanka. The war has killed an estimated 60-thousand people. (SIGNED)

NEB/VC/PFH