No Auspicious Times...Random Attacks Only!

SLA units launched a surprise attack on 24 bunkers ahead of the Nagarkovil, Muhamalai and Kilali FDL at around 2am today, completely destroying the bunkers. The majority of the Tigers manning the bunkers ran for their lives. The names of 15 Tigers killed were later confirmed. SLA sources indicated that around 30 others may have been injured in the attack. The Army lost two men.

The successes come after the Sri Lanka Army changed the timing of its attacks, from pre-scheduled strikes launched after Bodhipooja, based on auspicious times given by astrologers to totally random offensives launched at the will of the officers and men involved. This is causing confusion in LTTE strategy, which had, since 1983 been prepared to face only pre-scheduled operations.

Earlier, the Tigers were able to monitor the movement of men, machines and supplies and then prepare themselves for the strike, which was launched at a particular time on a particular day only. Now, offensives are launched sometimes daily, sometimes weekly, sometimes a couple of attacks a day at different intervals.

The Sri Lanka Army has also cleared the Pallaikuli area in North Mannar, thus facilitating a future attack to recapture Adampan Junction and Uylankulam. They are now only one kilometer from Adampan Junction. An unfortunately large number of child soldiers and women fighters deployed in difficult to man FDLs are being killed almost daily.