Colombo: After smashing through main outer defences of the crucial city of Kilinochchi, Sri Lankan Army today captured Vannerikulam town and encircled Nachchikudha, the main sea Tiger base, after fierce fighting which left 33 soldiers dead.

Apparently, stepping up their offensive to capture LTTE headquarter, government troops overnight and this morning launched a fierce offensive to capture the Vannerikulam town for which the Tigers put up a stiff resistance.

Another task force of the army got close to the biggest sea Tiger base in which 11 LTTE were killed, defence ministry said.

The new offensive brought the army a step closer to capturing the militants de facto capital of Kilinochchi in northern Sri Lanka, the military said.

Fight for Vannerikulam village, west of rebel capital Kilinochchi, was termed as challenging by the army as they had to overrun a massive earth barrier erected by the Tigers as anti-tank defence.

The changing of hands of the village could make the army s offensive towards the Tiger s headquarters easier.

Simultaneously, timing their attack on Nachchikudha with operations further West, army encircled the last major sea tiger foothold on the northwestern coast.

"During these clashes on the weekend, 33 soldiers were reported killed in action, 48 injured and 3 others were reported missing," the defence ministry said in a statement.
Source : PTI