Forces wrap up Eastern coast

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

The Army which is in the final phase of the rescue operation took control of the entire eastern coastal area when the 58 and 59 Division Troops linked up together depriving the LTTE of the coastal belt yesterday.

The 58 Division marching from the north linked up with 59 Division troops who were forging ahead northbound in the New Safe Zone yesterday morning.

Accordingly, troops of the 11 Gemunu Watch in 59 Division and 11 Sri Lanka Light Infantry in 58 Division have taken control of the entire Mullaitivu costal belt.

Meanwhile over 10,000 civilians, also made use of the newly opened ‘escape route’ via the Nanthi Kadal lagoon in the past 24 hours, braving the LTTE’s indiscriminate firing in the Vadduvakkal area as civilians began to flee. Those who escaped in different batches on tyre tubes and boats faced many dangers on the way. The Army troops after providing medical aid and light meals took them to the nearest IDP centres.

Two hundred and forty one LTTE cadres have surrendered to the Security Forces during the past two days.