Govt rejects LTTE ceasefire offer, troops seize imp rebel area By T V Sriram

Colombo, Nov 10 (PTI) Sri Lankan troops Monday captured a
strategic area in the L.T.T.E. stronghold of Kilinochchi while
losing some troops in another offensive near Jaffna peninsula
in the restive north, as it rejected the Tiger's ceasefire
offer saying it should first lay down arms.

In response to L.T.T.E's political head B. Nadesan's
statement that "there is no hesitation on our side to
reiterate our position that we have always wanted a
ceasefire", a senior Sri Lankan cabinet minister told
Parliament that it would not go for it.

Minister of Agricultural Development & Agrarian Services
Development and General Secretary of the ruling Sri Lanka
Freedom Party, Maithripala Sirisena, who had a narrow escape
from an L.T.T.E. assassination attempt early last month near
Colombo, told the House that the government will not go for a
ceasefire with the L.T.T.E.

"We will not have any form of discussion with the
L.T.T.E. We have already told them to lay down arms and there
is no change in our stand," Sirisena told the legislature.

The L.T.T.E. political head had claimed that the Tigers
were only fighting a defensive war "since Colombo has thrust
upon Tamils an aggressive war," the Pro-L.T.T.E. website
Tamilnet had reported.

Meanwhile, continuing with its advances, the security
forces Monday captured a strategic area under the control of
L.T.T.E., the defence ministry said.

"The troops of the Task Force 1, Monday made another
crucial breakthrough at the Western Kilinochchi battlefront,
as Kiranchi, a strong L.T.T.E. bastion fell into military
dominance after hours of heavy fighting", the ministry said.

"L.T.T.E. rebels occupying areas were encircled as
another forward element of the T.F.-1 battalion from Chunnavil
met the rear battalions already positioned in the Southern
perimeters of Kiranchchi", it said.

L.T.T.E. resistance and counter attacks were neutralised
as ground troops claimed heavy casualties to L.T.T.E. during
the confrontation, the ministry said.

"The fall of Kiranchi has stamped the military presence
west of the A-32 main road, earlier than terrorists expected
causing L.T.T.E. defences to thin out and scatter", a defence
observer said.

According to the sources, heavy fighting have been
reported since last evening in the Chempankundu area, as
infantrymen started crossing the extremely hostile terrain
that runs about 18 km, west to east from Chempankundu to
Nivil.

"The marshlands that have about 2 km width at some parts
stand as an excellent defence for the L.T.T.E., the sources
said. However, troops are not in a mood to slow down their
pace of advance despite whatever barricade stand against
them", the ministry quoted the sources as saying.

Meanwhile, troops of 583 brigade, attacked an L.T.T.E.
strong point in Chempankundu around 6.10 PM and reported heavy
damages to the terrorists.

"Few soldiers laid own their lives and several others
sustained injuries", the ministry said. Troops claimed heavy
damages to the L.T.T.E.

Defence observers are of the view that troops would be
able to wrest full control over the A-32 road once they cross
the marshland. This would open a land route to Jaffna
peninsula after 20 years, the military said. PTI T.V.S.