Sri Lanka applies pressure on LTTE
Sri Lankan government forces had reached the outskirts of Kilinochchi, the stronghold of the Liberation Tigers of tamil Eelam (LTTE), on 19 September, as part of a major offensive aimed at destroying the rebels as an effective fighting force before the end of 2008.
On 18 September the Sri Lankan Navy also destroyed three large Sea Tiger craft, as well as seven smaller vessels, in a naval battle off Nachchikudha, the government claimed.
A naval engagement in September 2007 during which the Sea Tigers lost most of their known fleet was previously believed to have crippled the LTTE's naval capabilitiy. However, the engagement showed that the LTTE retained the ability to procure new equipment.
The apparent success of the government offensive which is impossible to verify as no independent observers remain in the north of the country suggests that President Mahinda rajapaksa is making headway with his campaign to eliminate LTTE.
However, the onset of monsoon rains in October, could give the LTTE the breathing space it needs to regroup.
Courtesy: Janes Defence Weekly.
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