Thousands flee as troops poised for the kill

Ranil WIJAYAPALA and Shanika SRIYANANDA

Despite the LTTE's suicide attempts using its vehicles against the Security Forces in the final phase of the war, the morale of the troops is very high and they are determined to root out the LTTE once and for all, the jubilant General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division Brigadier Shaveendra Silva said.

Brig. Shaveendra Silva was speaking to the 'Sunday Observer' following the historic link up of 58 Division and 59 Division of the Security Forces in Mullaitivu yesterday.

According to Brig. Silva, thousands more civilians were fleeing through a hail of fire into Government controlled areas.

The civilians, who have come into the Government controlled areas cursed the LTTE and pleaded with the Security Forces to destroy the outfit completely.

Meanwhile, the Security Forces, while facing the firings from the LTTE continued to rescue the injured and the feeble civilians to Government controlled areas.

Around 500 cadres have surrendered to the advancing troops and the surrendees said that there were more waiting to surrender to the Security Forces.

Brig. Shaveendra Silva added that they have seized a mega haul of LTTE weaponry in Mullaitivu yesterday.

Whatever the vehicles such as trucks, tractors, buses pick-up trucks, cars and motorbikes possessed by the LTTE are currently being destroyed by the outfit, according to ground troops.