Troops to take over Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

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Troops in the Wanni front are on the verge of taking over the entire Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’, ground sources said. The area under the Sri Lanka Army control is approximately 100 square kilometres, which is mainly paddy fields.

The 58 division, led by Brig. Shavindra Silva, captured the entire Parappakadaththan area yesterday, lying 3 - 4 kilometres north of the Giant Tank, Military Spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara said.

Parappakadaththan supposed to be a strong LTTE supply position where Bhanu - a senior LTTE leader frequented. The position was fortified with a strong defence line and equipped with a main communication centre, Brig. Nanayakkara said.

The Army also found a cemetery in the Akaddiveli area during the same operation. Last Friday troops captured Andankulam, another LTTE stronghold, in its mission to liberate the Mannar ‘Rice Bowl’.

According to ground sources, the LTTE has lost almost all their bases within the ‘Rice Bowl’. Military sources said the capture of Andankulam has totally cut off the A32 Mannar-Pooneryn main supply route of the LTTE from the North.