The security forces who advanced a kilometre have now consolidated positions in the area, he said.

In the fighting between the army and the Tamil Tigers, nineteen LTTE cadres were killed and thirty injured while one soldier was killed and five injured, Brigadier Nanayakkara said.

'Shankar' killed

In Batticaloa, Brigadier Nanayakkara said , an eastern military leader of the LTTE, called 'Shankar' killed himself exploding a grenade.

"This happened when the the security forces wanted to check this person on suspicion", he said.

Civilians photographed

Asked why the people living in and around Kallimune near the Mannar Naval Base were being photographed by security forces, Brigadier Nanayakkara said the photos were taken and identities were registered for their own safety.

"If the identity of the residents of the area are known to the security forces, they will have less trouble in corden and search operations", said the military spokesman.