News Brief: Charles Anthony Brigade Crippled...

Consolidated reports from the battlefront now indicate that 80-100 Charles Anthony Brigade tigers were eliminated in hand-to-hand combat by the 57Division and the Commando units of the SLA in the past 72 hours. Most of the fighting was centered around the Vanikulam tank bund.

Charles Anthony has lost its deputy commander along with at least half a dozen so called junior 'officers' or leaders. This is a crippling blow to the enemy and its ability to fight. Without proper junior level leadership, no army can survive in the battlefield. Even the greatest strategist require 'implementers' to action their battle plans. Without capable junior leaders, the lower ranks will not be able to effectively coordinate attacks against a well armed and determined force such as the SLA.

As GroundZeroLanka reported earlier this week, the LTTE resistance has picked up. The SLA can expect further resistance on the Mallavi front, as the fall of this town will put Mankulam under direct threat. The lost of Mankulam would effectively sever a major artery for the tigers - the A9. The LTTE is in need of a major victory. This would stall the current SLA military momentum and buy the tigers some much needed breathing space.

NEWS BRIEF: SLA Consolidates New Acquisitions

58 and 57 Division troops were busy consolidating the newly captured areas. Troops of 58D are currently 3KM north of Illuppakadavai and have surrounded Mundampiddi. Mundampiddi is a small coastal village south of Vellankulam - the next major milestone on the A32. Large groups of troops were inducted by air to beef up 58 Division held sector.


Fresh troops air lifted to battlefield....


Over the last few days troops were busy clearing trappings, building defences and consolidating the areas in expectation of a Tiger counter-attack. As we reported last week, it is unlikely that the Tigers will permit the 57D to take Mallavi and Tunukkai without offering a limited counter-offensive. Currently the western flank of the 57D is exposed as 58D has not progress up to the same lateral point as the 57D.

The SLA is fully cognisant of the fact that the Tigers will launch a counter-offensive within the next few weeks, possibly after the SAARC summit.

NEW ADDITIONS FOR THE SRI LANKA AIR FORCE

The Sri Lanka Air Force will be adding to its fighter fleet with the Mig-29SM Fulcram. The MiG-29SM is the further upgraded version of MiG-29SE aircraft with improved combat capabilities in the air-to-surface operating mode. It is equipped with precision guided weapons, air-to-surface missiles and TV-guided bombs, and the upgraded weapon control system that significantly improves the efficiency and makes the aircraft a true multirole fighter. This vehicle can track up to 10 targets at a time, including moving vehicles. Once introduced to the SLAF, this will exponentially increase its attack capability. The MiG-29SM's primary role will be to thwart any attempts by the Tiger Airwing. The new acquisition will be able to track, target and destroy low-flying and low-speed enemy planes.

Five new MiG-29SM are on order, with 3 being delivered in November and the remainder in December of this year.

New SLAF Multi-Role Fighter Documentary Video

STRATEGY REVIEW: The Fonseka Factor

Let their be no confusion as to the root attributes of the current success by Sri Lankan Army in the northern front. General Fonseka and his strategy has effectively bled the enemy through slow attrition for over 18 months and now the SLA is going in for the kill. The SLA is moving in on the LTTE northern strongholds at a pace of almost 3KM per day.

Effectively, 6 Divisons (61, 59, 58, 57, 53, 55) and 1 Task Force (TFII) are active against the LTTE. By attacking, or commiting multiple divisons against the LTTE, Fonseka has ensured that the enemy is not able to mass troops against one front without inviting simaltaneous attacks from the other SLA divisons.

For an example, the LTTE currently has over 1200 Cadres on the northern front facing the 53rd and 55th divisons of the army. These 1200 Cadres, their field suppport material and heavy weapons are effectively out of battle and not utilized against the army in combat, as such they pose no threat to the other divisons in the south. The LTTE also cannot utilize these troops in the Jaffna front in a 'ceaseless' waves type of assault without inviting massive casualties. If the LTTE does decide to even temorariliy redeploy these cadres for an attack in Weli-Oya or Mannar, the 53rd and 55th division will be put into action, thereby rolling through the Muhumalai and Kilali FDL's and into Elephant Pass. The brilliant tactics employed by Fonseka are evident here. The 'division' of regions amongst 6 Divisions and TF's ensure that each Commanding Officer has specific goals and targets to achieve, thus empowering them to drive hard in their individual sectors. 58 Divisions has been given the target of capturing all coastal areas along the A32 (Mannar-Pooneryn) road. The 57 Divison, which is the tip of the spear is leading the attack into the heartland of the enemy currently in the Mannar sector and soon into Killinochchi. TFII has been tasked with securing the towns parallel to the west of the A9. 59 Divison has been tasked with leading the attack on the Wanni. Since the the Divison commanders are empowered and given clear directions on their objectives, they are able to control and adapt to the unique situations which arise in their sectors, thus contributing to the holistic success for the over-all battle plan...only known to Gen. Fonseka and his inner circle. The image above (courtesy http://www.defence.lk/) provides are clear picture of the division of labour between the individual sectors.

Illuppakadavai Captured


Last night 58 Divsion troops who were roughly 1KM outside the town of Illuppakadavai launched an night attack on the town. Commando units secured the centre of the town while troops from the 58th surrounded the perimeter of the town. The LTTE were not expecting the SLA to move this quickly along the A32, thus were caught unawares inside the town. Heavy fighting was reported overnight, but resistence melted away after a few hours. We expect the LTTE casualty figures to be very heavy, but exact figures are not available right now. The dangers of an LTTE counter-attack against 57 and 58 Divison are increasing daily.

Mundampiddi, Vellankulam, Mallavi and Tunukkai Next...

With the Divsions moving very quickly northwards, the LTTE will need to slow down the progress. We expect the LTTE to launch a limited counter-attack against the 57 Division at Mallavi or Tunukkai. The capture of these two towns will effectivly put Mankulam under threat thus permitting the army to disrupt LTTE communications and logistics on the A9. Killinochchi too will be under direct artillary range with the capture of these locations. It is unlikely that the LTTE will permit the fall of these towns without offering a limited counter-offensive.

The next major milestone of the 58 Divison will be Vellankulam, the 58 Division will need to move northwards quickly to ensure that they provide effective flank support to the 57 Division which is currently based about 2KM south of Mallavi and Tunukkai. Thus, their is pressure on the 58 Division to move north quickly, this adds to the risk in this sector as proper time is required to consolidated captured land and clear the areas of trappings.

Within the next few weeks our brave troops will be knocking the the devils back door, Killinochchi...

NEWS BRIEF: VIDATTALTIVU FALLS TO COMMANDO ASSAULT

After days of engaging the Tiger defences around the town of Vidattaltivu, SLA Commando's penetrated into the heart of the town and by this morning 58 Divison troops had secured the base and the town.



Soldiers from the 57 Division positioned themselves north of Vidattaltivu area on the A32, effectively cutting of the only escape route for the remaining tigers. The tigers retreated along the shallow coastal route but they were engaged by MI24 attack helicopters of Squadron 9 (based in Anuradhapura).

Most hard assets of the tigers had been moved north, but many tractors, double cabs and trucks used by the terrorists have been captured or destroyed. Images will be made available shortly.

HEROES IN ACTION: Corporal Nishan Keerthiratne

"I looked after my family, I served my country....I have no regrets."


Nishan Keerthiratne, 35, joined the Sri Lanka army in 1990. After nearly 16 years of proud service to the nation, this valiant soldier was injured by an enemy IED which was placed on a tree in 2006. The bomb decimated the vehicle he was travelling in, and ripped through his spinal cord. The proud soldier is now bed ridden as he is paralyzed waist down.

The Associated Press interviewed him recently, with the intent of getting an interview which would tarnish the image of the army and exploit this soldiers condition. The intent of the AP reporter was to extract an 'anti-war' or 'anti-nationalistic' response from this servicemen.

When asked if he is depressed or regrets fighting for his country, the soldier responded:
"I looked after my family, I served my country....I have no regrets."

NEWS BRIEF: TROOPS CLOSE IN ON VIDATTALTIVU

5 Terrorist Bodies Recovered by 58 Division

Pitch battles between the troops of 58 Division, now located 2KM south of Vidattaltivu and the LTTE are in progress. The elite 58 Division troops, who have now reached the perimeter of Vidattaltivu and the 57 Divison which are moving westward from Periyamadhu area are effectively surrounding the Vidattaltivu base.

The flank attack by the 57 Division has met fierce resistance by the LTTE. The army has effectively attacked enemy strong points on July 13 killing around 7 terrorists. 5 bodies of LTTE cadres have been recovered and are in the process of being tagged and transferred to the ICRC.

The 58 Division is now within striking distance from Vidattaltivu and Army DPU teams have effectively engaged the LTTE well forward of the current FDL's. These 'deep space' attacks have ensured that whole region has been made inconducive for Tiger logistical operations.

CANADIAN SRI LANKANS CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS SOLDIERS WELFARE

A campaign to raise funds for the welfare of our brave soldiers led by the SRI LANKA UNITED NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (SLUNA) raised nearly $10 000 CAD. The funds were handed over the Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gothabaya Rajapakse at the Ministry of Defence.

Communication from SLUNA is attached below.

Dear Friends,

Handing Over of SLUNA's Contribution to Api Wenuwen Fund in Colombo

We have pleasure in forwarding pictures taken at Colombo showing the formal handing
over of a Bank Draft for $7,500.00 drawn in favour of the Api Wenuwen Api Fund, by
SLUNA's Executive Vice President, Dr. Daya Sarathchandra to Mr. Gotabaya Rajapakse,
Defence Secretary, Sri Lanka.

As you are aware, we have so far succeeded in raising a total of $9,495.00 to SLUNA' s
Heroes Fund, which was dedicated to assisting the brave men and women in Sri Lanka's
Security Forces, who are risking their lives and limbs to safeguard our motherland and her
people. Our decision was to allocate 75% to the Api Wenuwen Api Fund, whilst the balance
funds were to be remitted to reputed oganizations in Sri Lanka engaged in providing welfare
services to injured security forces personnel. The monies so far disbursed are as follows:

Total amount raised as at the present date: - $ 9,495.00
Less: Amount remitted to the Api Wenuwen Api Fund - (7,500.00)
Less: Amount remitted to NMAT Colombo towards gift packs of
essential items for use of injured service personnel receiving
treatment in Colombo Hospitals - ( 500.00)
BALANCE FUNDS AVAILABLE to be remitted to Seva Vanitha Unit/
General Denzil Kobbekaduwa Trust for use on injured personnel - $ 1,495.00

We take this opportunity to thank all donors for their contributions which are to be
utilized in providing welfare services to those who are giving their today to ensure
a better tomorrow for all citizens of Sri Lanka.


Yours sincerely,

Mahinda Gunasekera
Honorary President

Weli-Oya Front Operations Heat Up

Troops of the 59 Division are now fully on the offensive north of Janakapura. The recent capture of 'Michael' base, which acted as a logistics and forward operations centre would hasten the collapse of the 1-4 base complex in the Mullativu theatre of operations. 1-4 base complex is a vast network of terror bases (initially numbering 14 but now have expanded up to 20 bases).

The existence of mines and IED, make the progress very slow, however the tigers are unable to use 'force multiplier' weapons such as artillery and MBRL's on this front due to the heavy canopy. The fighting has been hand-to-hand and close quarter. We expect further progress on this front within the next few weeks. The military target is to secure Kalumunai and Alampil, which are less than 7KM from Mullativu town. The capture of Kalumunai and Alampil will secure vast tracts of coastline and will destabilize Mullativu town and environment due to special small group operations.