Final stage of the war...

Injuries are reported to the LTTE's head of Intelligence Poddu Amman and head of Internal Secret Intelligence Kapil Amman in two air strikes at Puthukudirippu. Both men have received minor injuries but have been shocked by the accuracy of the attack, escaped LTTE Intelligence Wing cadres have told the Army.

Meanwhile LTTE Leader Velupillai Prabhakaran's son has also been injured in his shoulder after he joined 600 others in penetrating the 58 FDL several weeks ago. Fighting in the last stretch of the A-35 has intensified in an area covered in coconut trees and other vegetation. LTTE is firing heavy volumes of 130mm canons, a weapon thought to have been abandoned by the Tigers.

The flow of civilians to government areas has again increased with 6-7000 within a 7-day period with 2000 returning today alone.

The 55 Division, particularly the Mechanized Infantry Division, launched a devastating attack on a cluster of LTTE boats using Baktarshikan/Red Arrow missiles and 30mm canons killing over two dozen Sea Tigers off the coast of Chalai. The cluster of boats had earlier driven away a small RABS unit of the Navy which attempted to engage them at sea.

Meanwhile a popular TV personality reporting on the war for a national TV channel has been apprehended on a tip-off with a haul of electronic goods stolen from an LTTE compound by the Medawachchiya Police. An Army Liaisons Officer appointed to him is now in the Army Cell awaiting court martial. The TV personality, however, will get away with it scott free.