Air raids target LTTE positions in Paranthan, Kilinochchi

(December 30, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) A minor explosion was reported a short while ago in Rathmalana area today . It appears that an electric transformer was the target of the explosion. The transformer itself was undamaged in the incident. There were no casualties and no arrests have been made so far.

Meanwhile in the northern front, Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) flew 5 bombing sorties on LTTE targets in Paranthan and Kilinochchi. The air sorties were made as ground troops inching closer to Paranthan continued to face heavy resistance from LTTE cadres. Two of the sorties were flown in the morning, two in the afternoon and then another one in the evening. Exact LTTE casualties in these aerial raids are not available as of now. Despite LTTE resistance, SLA units have now advanced up to 2.5km from Paranthan junction.

Meanwhile the LTTE has handed over 17 bodies of SLA soldiers fallen in Mullaithiv battles today. Around 30 soldiers from the army’s 59 division were killed in fierce fighting at location 5-6km south of Mullaithiv town on the 27th.

In other news around 250 Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel passed out after completing training today. The passing out parade was held at Katukurunda STF training base.-DefenceNet - Sri Lanka Guardian