Mullaittivu Has Fallen

After laying siege to Mulaitivu from 3 different areas, the 59 Division finally entered Mulaitivu, a small island-like area across the Nanthikandal lagoon. The LTTE had started vacating the area prior to this.

The delay experienced in entering Mulaitivu was to avoid losses in open lagoon. By last evening, Mulaitivu was completely under seige from the south and east, except from the north. 59 and 55 Divisions, who were expecting to jointly take Mulaitivu could not do so as the 55 was held up by some resistance further north.

But the linkup between the 59 and the 55 is inevitable as the 55 marches beyond Chalai and finally reaches the Nanthikandal lagoon. With this, the two divisions will turn eastward now becoming the first divisions to do so in this war as the Commander's plan to get the Tigers boxed-in in the middle gradually becomes a reality.

One avenue of approach would march along the A-35 as the uncleared areas get sandwiched by the 58, 55, 59, TF 2, 3 and 4 while the 57 prepares to hold down and secure Kilinochchi to welcome the trapped civilians.

DW