Lankan war 8212; 350 dead

Army quoting LTTE monitored wireless transmissions said that 230 rebels were killed and 300 injured. According to the latest update by the Army, troops consolidating the captured areas has recovered 69 bodies of rebels. Fifteen bodies have been handed over to the International Committee of Red Cross to be sent to the LTTE.

The statement said Lankan airforce jets comprising Ukraine-made Mig-27s and Israeli-made Kfirs bombers continued to pound LTTE positions.

Elaborating on its own casualties, Army said 71 troops including eight officers were killed after Army launched its offensive yesterday from Sarasalai, Maduvil and Nunavil to support the main operation at Colombuthurai. 43 more soldiers were killed and 298 others injured when LTTE attacked troops returning after clearing operations.

LTTE fields proxy candidates

SRI Lankan government is seriously considering implications of the reported LTTE attempts to field its candidates in the Northern and Eastern provinces, media reports said today. Quoting sources in security agencies, the state-run Daily News newspaper said the LTTE was attempting to pressurise certain political parties and independent groups to field some of its cadre as their candidates in the forthcoming elections in several areas of Tamil-dominated North and eastern provinces.