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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

Published on - 8/2/2008

Last LTTE Bastion in Mannar Falls

MANNAR : VICTORIOUS ARMY TROOPS engaged in humanitarian operations in Wanni liberated the LTTE's last stronghold VELLANKULAM by Saturday (02) afternoon after a hard battle fought against terrorists and entered across the KILINOCHCHI district boundary.

Today's capture of VELLANKULAM marks a historical importance since it was the first time in the Eelam war that troops were able to get VELLANKULAM liberated from the grip of terrorism.

Army troops commenced their northward move along the A – 32 MANNAR – POONARYN road five weeks ago from ILLUPPAIKKADAVAI after they captured it on 20th July.

The capture of VELLANKULAM, located 10 km north of ILLUPPAIKKADAVAI, stabilized the troops' deployment 40 km north of MANNAR.

Fall of this base of strategic importance hampers the LTTE administrative and logistic machinery further as their access to MANKULAM via THUNUKKAI to the east and the island\'s northwestern coast to the west is cut off.

After the troops captured the whole of ILLUPPAIKKADAVAI about five weeks ago, VELLANKULAMA served as the next stop for their Sea Tigers and petty leaders who ran for their life.

With Army's victory over the VELLANKULAMA town, troops completed their consolidation in the enter MANNAR district.