LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                20. August 1997
PRESS RELEASE (2)
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

TWO MORE ARMY ADVANCES IN VANNI REPULSED BY LTTE
        The Sri Lankan army for the second day in succession tried to
        advance deeper into Vanni territory on two fronts  but were again
        driven back by LTTE forces. At  Mathiamadu the Sinhala forces
        tried to break forward at 6 am but were forced to withdraw with
        heavy losses. Further details are awaited. The Palayawadi front
        also tried to break forward today but was pushed back due to LTTE
        resistance. Troops remain pinned down at Palayawadi. In this
        battle too the Sinhala army sustained heavy troop losses. Similar
        to yesterday's battle, today LTTE forces destroyed one Sri Lankan
        battle-tank while Sri Lankan troops dragged away two more of
        their heavily damaged battle-tanks. 19 LTTE fighters lost their
        lives in this confrontation.
        
SEVEN SOLDIERS KILLED -- BATTICALOA
        Seven Sri Lankan troops were killed today at 7.30 am in
        Moravakanda (Batticaloa district) where they were engaged in
        barricading a road in occupied Tamil territory. Moravakanda is a
        key strategic point next to Welikanda on the
        Polanaruwa-Batticaloa road. The bodies of 4 troops were recovered
        by the LTTE. The LTTE incurred no casualties. A substantial
        quantity of arms and ammunition was captured by the LTTE.
        
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)