LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                19. August 1997
PRESS RELEASE

SRI LANKAN MILITARY ADVANCE BEATEN BACK 

LTTE forces early this morning crushed a Sri Lankan military advance from
Palayawadi to Puliyankulam, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. Two Sri
Lankan battle-tanks were completely destroyed, leaving Sri Lankan troops to
drag away two other heavily-damaged battle-tanks during their retreat. LTTE
forces captured one armoured troop carrier with a 73mm gun fitted, in
perfect condition. Arms and ammunition was also captured. The LTTE
recovered the bodies of eight Sri Lankan soldiers. The remaining troops
withdrew from the scene of battle with heavy losses. Seven LTTE fighters
died in the attack.   
	
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)