The Air Force carried out attacks for nine occasions and inflicted heavy losses to LTTE cadres and their buildings, it said.

Sri Lanka Army spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara told Sandesaya that Sri Lankan air force fighter jets bombed six locations from South Kilinochchi to the West of Paranthan.

The Air Force had targeted LTTE bunkers, he said.

Commenting on operations in the Mullativu District, Brigadier Nanayakkara said that troops are moving forward from the north of Alampil.

Responding to a question that the civilians in the area are fleeing shell attacks, Brigadier Nanayakkara said that the security forces never
targeted civilians.

He said in response to requests by the government, nearly six hundred people had arrived into govt. controlled areas.

“These people have been directed to welfare centres through the Govt. Agent," he said.

Meanwhile, President Mahinda Rajapakse at a commemoration ceremony held at Sinha Regiment Headquarters in Ambepussa said that Sri Lankan forces are exemplary to other countries fighting terrorism.

He praised the forces for fighting on in extremely adverse whether conditions.