SLA advance from Manthai and Uylankulam towards Adampan17 people including 11 school children, one school principal and two school teacher were killed and 17 others injured in the general area Madhu today. The children and teachers from the Thachchanamarandamadu school fell victim to at least two high-powered IEDs while traveling in a bus along Palampiddi-Madhu road around 2.25pm. The bus then skidded off the road and hit a nearby tree. The Tigers were quick to accuse the Army's LRRP alias 'Deep Penetration Unit' for the attack. The claim was flatly denied by the SLA.
Viyattankulam Falls as Troops Encircle Adampan
Meanwhile troops advancing east from the general area Manthai and Thiruketheeswaram Kovil today captured the village of Viyattankulam situated less than 1km west of Adampan Town. The SLA also destroyed 6 LTTE bunkers at Pallaikuli along the Uylankulam-Adampan road. 5 Tiger bodies were recovered from this attack. SLA claims it killed at least 21 Tigers in these attacks.
Tigers in Wasgamuwa?!
The bodies of two wildlife officers have been found at a tourist bungalow at Wasgamuwa Wildlife Sanctuary today. The two officers had been shot dead by unidentified gunmen, suspected to be from LTTE. Police and SLA are conducting search operations in the area. If the attack was conducted by LTTE, the security to Kandy, Matale and Polonnaruwa could be jeopardized. The forest cover at Wasgamuwa, which is around 40,000 hectares, extends as bush into Wilgamuwa, Laggala and the Mahiyanganaya-Kandy Road and can potentially shelter small attack teams. The Wasgamuwa Park is a vital part of Sri Lanka's eco-tourism industry.
