48-hr unilateral cessation of hostilities over

As the 48-hour unilateral cessation of hostilities enforced for the first time since the humanitarian operations began came to an end this morning, the first skirmish against the LTTE was led by Major General Kamal Gunaratne and the 53 Division. 5 soldiers were killed in the fighting while 30 others sustained injuries. 5 Bodies of LTTE cadres were also recovered.

Ground sources reported that the battle from the LTTE-side was led by Velavan, the head of the Imran Pandian unit while senior LTTE leaders were nowhere to be seen. The LTTE has gone completely on the defensive having buried vast amounts of AP "Batta" mines and operating from behind the mine fields.

With this latest offensive, the objective of the Sri Lanka Army, led by Major General Gunaratne is becoming clear. This mornings fighting was along the A-35 Paranthan-Mullaitivu road. A few kilometers towards the sea and the 53 could effectively disect the NFZ by separating Mulaitivu South from Mulaitivu North, thus creating the groundwork for a hostage rescue operation and further limiting movement of the LTTE.

As reported by us two days ago, the high powered government delegation led by President Rajapakse was in Kilinochchi today. The President's visit is seen as a precursor to a tactical operation to rescue, rehabilitate and resettle large numbers of Tamil civilians from IPD camps and the NFZ.