Forces cut off Mullaitivu - Oddusudan links

Ranil WIJAYAPALA

Troops operating in the 59 Division yesterday took control of a three kilo metre stretch of the A-34 Oddusudan – Mullaitivu road from the South West of Mulliyavali village totally cutting off links between Mullaitivu and Oddusudan which was a vital supply route connecting the coastal town with the southern part of Mullaitivu district, military sources told the Daily News last night.

According to military sources, troops of the 59 Division under the command of Brigadier Nandana Udawatta had fierce battles as they reached the outer perimeter of the Mullaitivu town amidst heavy rains lashing the entire Wanni battlefront yesterday.

“Troops are now operating from a distance of four to five kilo metres from the Mullaitivu suburbs with the speedy advance they had made within the past few days”, a military official said yesterday.

Earlier on Sunday, troops of the 59 Division captured a section of the Mullaitivu Nedunkerni road and were operating close to the A-34 Mullaitivu – Oddusudan – Mankulam road that linked Mullaitivu to the A-9 road.

Military sources also said that the advance of the troops closer to the Mullaitivu suburbs will make it very hard for the LTTE who are already cornered on the Kilinochchi front with the objective of defending their administrative capital.

“They will now have to seriously think about their priorities now”, sources added.

“The heavy rains have slowed down the progress of the battle but troops are advancing towards Mullaitivu amidst all these obstacles”, military sources added.

Troops are poised to capture Mulliyavali village located South West of Mullaitivu town soon.

Meanwhile, troops attached to the 57 Division and the Task Force I also continued their operations amidst heavy rains destroying Tiger bunkers and strong points ahead of their defences, sources added.