The Ceylon News

At least 200 terrorists were killed, as many wounded and over 150 LTTE bodies recovered by Sri Lankan security forces, following heavy fighting that broke out between troops and LTTE since last Thursday (March 5), at the Mullaittivu battlefront South of Chalai and Palamathalan. The 55 Division, 58 Division including Special Force (SF) and Commando troops comprehensively neutralized the LTTE offensive waves also seizing a large haul of weapons, security sources said.

Security forces thwarted successive offensive attempts made by LTTE to infiltrate the military forward defences South of Chalai yesterday (March 8), which left over 100 terrorists killed and as many injured, battlefield sources reported.

According to latest battle reports received, troops of the 58 Division have uncovered over 100 LTTE bodies along with a large haul of military hardware and equipment during subsequent search operations conducted in the area today(March 9). Heavy fighting broke out between troops and LTTE when terrorists made a desperate attempt to breach the military defence positions, advancing from South of Chalai along the Pudumathalan coastal stretch. LTTE had made the infiltration move, mainly taking advantage of the lull of military retaliation; a strict policy adhered by the troops following the declaration of the No Fire Zone, to secure safety of those civilians held hostage by LTTE.

On receiving timely ground intelligence and aerial reconnaissance information, security forces awaited well prepared for the terrorist infiltrators. Unnoticed, 200odd terrorists were drawn into a massive ambush laid by the 58 Division and Special Forces (SF) troops. With the break of first light troops engaged the rear positions of the LTTE offensive flanks leaving terrorists in total disarray seizing a large haul of weapons and communication equipment. Over 45 LTTE bodies were observed floating in the lagoon stretch while 58 Div troops have reportedly uncovered over 100 LTTE bodies during subsequent search operations conducted.

According to military sources, Lawrence, Swarnam, Gopith, Jerry, Arulnasion and a few other senior LTTE terrorists have command and coordinated the LTTE failed infiltration attempt. Meanwhile, citing intercepted LTTE communication Army said that heated arguments were burst out between Lawrence and Gopith, who had accused each other for the failed mission.

Following items were also uncovered during the search operations conducted.

Items Description	Quantity
T-56 assault riffles	268
T-58 assault riffles	08
Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) launchers	18
MPMG guns	10
60mm mortar guns	06
12.7 mm anti-air guns	02
Light Machine Guns	02
40mm grenade launcher	01
9mm pistol	01
I-com sets	07
Compass	01
M-91 sniper gun	01

Ms Jayalalitha is a known critic of the Tamil Tigers

A leading Indian politician is on a day-long fast to express solidarity with the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Former chief minister of southern Tamil Nadu state, J Jayalalitha, is demanding an immediate ceasefire in Sri Lanka.

In January, India asked Colombo to ensure that civilians trapped by the fighting in the north were protected.

India has a sizeable Tamil population and the authorities are under pressure to take a stronger line against Colombo's military offensive.

The military says it is involved in a final push against retreating rebels.

'Failed'

Leader of Tamil Nadu's opposition AIADMK party J Jayalalitha began her day-long fast at 0900 IST (0330GMT) on Monday in the southern city of Chennai (Madras).

Several of her party leaders are also sitting on similar fasts at the district headquarters of the AIADMK.

The Tamil Tigers have been on the backfoot recently

The party is also collecting donations to provide relief to the Sri Lankan Tamils.

"The [Congress party-led] UPA government [in Delhi] failed miserably by not dispatching immediate humanitarian aid," Ms Jayalalitha was quoted as saying by the Press Trust of India news agency.

She said the government in Delhi or the state's ruling party DMK "have no genuine concerns" for the Sri Lankan Tamil people.

The fast "would not bring relief to the hunger-struck Tamils" but it would convey the "sentiments and anger of the people of Tamil Nadu against the state and the central government", she said.

Ms Jayalalitha is known to be a critic of the Tamil Tigers and correspondents say her fast is being seen more as an attempt to remain in the political limelight now that general elections are due in India in a few weeks.

Sri Lanka's minority Tamil community in the north-east has close cultural, religious and business ties with more than 50 million Tamils in Tamil Nadu.

In January, Sri Lankan President Rajapaksa said he had invited the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, and Ms Jayalalitha to come to Sri Lanka to "see for themselves the situation on the ground and to persuade the [Tamil Tigers] to lay down arms and join the democratic mainstream."

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned the battle is causing a humanitarian crisis. It says hundreds of civilians have been killed and a quarter of a million people are trapped by the fighting.

The UN secretary general and the European Union have also expressed deep concern for civilians caught in the fighting. The British government repeated its call for a ceasefire.