M A I N   N E W S

LTTE shells seaport
Damage to airbase denied

LONDON, May 19 (Reuters) — Tamil Tiger rebels today mounted fresh attacks on the Army in northern Jaffna and shelled a key sea port at the northern tip of the peninsula.

Military officials said by phone that the LTTE had fired a few shells at Kankesanthurai, the main sea port in the Peninsula, that lies 5 km west of the Palaly air base.

They said there was no damage to the port. The rebels have been shelling Palaly, the only airport in the peninsula, for the last two days.

A government statement in colombo said the LTTE rebels had launched a huge attack on the ‘‘defensive positions’’ of the Army at Kaithadi early today. Tamilnet, a pro-rebel website, monitored in London, said the LTTE had fired several volleys of artillery at the base, hitting the runway as well as the main communications tower there.

Military officials in Colombo said by phone the shells had fallen away from the main base and the runway was safe.

COLOMBO (UNI, PTI): The Sri Lankan Government has despatched newly acquired modern arms and ammunition to help its forces effectively counter the “human waves” of the LTTE cadres advancing upon the former rebel stronghold of Jaffna.

Troops effectively repulsed “many human waves” of the LTTE at Kaithedy early this morning. Four soldiers were killed and 65 injured in the fighting in the Jaffna peninsula, a government spokesman said.

He also denied reports that Palaly air base had been damaged in rebel shellings. “The air base is very much operational”, he said.

Sri Lanka acquired the new weaponry after it sought assistance from several countries in the wake of the military debacle at the Elephant Pass in the northern peninsula on April 22.

Israel is believed to be the main supplier of arms. Sri Lanka has already purchased Israeli-made Kfir jets that are being “effectively used” in air operations against the Tigers.

Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar had told reporters earlier that at least six countries were approached for assistance. Sri Lanka had to spend at least $ 980 million on arms, $ 170 million more than the defence budget, according to Mr Kadirgamar.

While denying reports that terrorists had taken control of any places in Ariyali, Tanakilappu and Navatkuli sectors, the spokesman said a small group of the LTTE cadres had infiltrated into the populated areas of Valikamam east. The troops launched a search operation to locate and destroy the infiltrators and the operation was continuing. He said troops retaliated following the LTTE’s mortar and artillery attacks at a few locations in the Jaffna peninsula. In the confrontations, four soldiers were killed and 21 wounded.

The spokesman also denied reports that Palaly airbase was shelled and damaged. There were some shellings near the air base during the past two days but no damage was caused to the base, he said.

Palaly is the only air base in Jaffna and any damage to it would affect the supply of reinforcements and arms to the 40,000 soldiers. There are 5,00,000 civilians in Jaffna. As the fighting intensified, several organisations, including the Human Rights Watch of New York, have expressed concern about the safety of the civilians and their urgent need for humanitarian assistance.

Meanwhile, Norway, attempting to broker a peace accord in Sri Lanka, is sending senior officials here next week for discussions on the escalation in fighting in the country’s north, the Norwegian Embassy said here today.

“The Norwegian Deputy Foreign Minister Raymond Johansen will be visiting Sri Lanka.

Official media claimed today that the head of the LTTE’s clandestine radio “Voice of Tigers” had succumbed to injuries suffered during the recent bombing of the rebel communication tower at north-west Ponneryn.

Jayneshan Sundhakaran reportedly died at Mallavi hospital in the LTTE-controlled northern Vanni yesterday, the state run Daily News said.

However, the LTTE has not confirmed his death. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan police recovered 120 kg of explosives and arrested 12 suspected Tigers allegedly linked to an assassination plot, the state-run Daily News reported today. “The 12 LTTE suspects now under police custody have revealed that they were assigned to assassinate several cabinet ministers, Tamil politicians and senior police officers”, the Daily News said.

The Sri Lankan Army, which has declared yet another amnesty for its deserters to rejoin the ranks, today said over 1500 deserters have reported for their duties during the past few days. The response to the new amnesty is good, state radio, quoting army officials, said.

In view of the positive response, the weeklong amnesty, which has been declared three days ago, is likely to be extended.