LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                05. August 1997

PRESS RELEASE 
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM
                                           
TAMIL EELAM'S HEALTH SERVICE STEPS IN TO AVERT CRISIS
	The Tamil Eelam Health Service -- which is part of the LTTE's
	civilian administration -- has taken strong action to improve the
	condition of Vanni's medical services, which have deteriorated
	due to the harsh conditions imposed by the Sri Lankan government.
	With the dire shortage of qualified doctors, under-qualified
	practitioners were found to be operating in many parts of the
	Vanni. The latest Tamil Eelam Health Service report said there
	were frequent cases of wrong diagnosis and inappropriate drugs
	given to patients. To remedy the situation, the health service
	has set up crash-courses for aspiring medical practitioners. An
	examination was held in May and dozens of candidates passed. The
	next exam is scheduled for September. Tamil Eelam's health
	service wishes to encourage more western-oriented medical
	practitioners to enrol. The health service is committed to a
	long-term strategy of improving medical practices in Tamil Eelam.
	
Kfir JETS BOMB MULLAITIVU COAST
	Sri Lankan Kfir jet-bombers yesterday stormed over Mullaitivu's
	coastal belt and dropped several bombs on civilian towns. The
	inhabitants were panicked by the incident and early reports
	suggest there are human casualties.
	
YOUNG MOTHER TORN APART BY ARMY SHELLS
	A 22-year old Tamil mother has been killed by Sri Lankan
	artillery fire from Omanthai. Sothilingam Kalaichelvi was killed
	on Saturday when she was hit directly by Sri Lanka's deliberate
	shelling of nearby Vanni areas. Her body was completely torn
	apart. Mrs. Kalaichelvi was a displaced person from
	Punnalaikadduvan (Jaffna) who was taking refuge in Vanni. She
	leaves behind two small children.
	
Political Committee,
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
	
(English translation of the LTTE statement released by LTTE
International Secretariat, 211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU,
United Kingdom.  Tel:0181- 503 4294)