SPECIAL PRESS RELEASE - 5 December 97
	
300 SINHALA TROOPS KILLED IN LTTE COUNTER ATTACK
	On the morning of 4th December 97, the Sri Lankan Army attempted to
	advance on two fronts from Puthur towards Mannankkulam,
	Kanakarayankulam.  The LTTE launched a counter offensive and there was
	heavy fighting between the Sri Lankan Army and the LTTE from early
	morning till 3.00 pm in the evening.  300 Sinhala troops were killed,
	many were injured, and the Sri Lankan Army was forced to withdraw.    
	133 bodies of Sinhalese soldiers were recovered by the LTTE and out of
	these the 113 which were in good condition were handed over to the
	ICRC.  The remaining 20 bodies which were in bad condition were
	cremated by the LTTE.   In this successful counter offensive 35 LTTE
	fighters including 10 women fighters were martyred. Huge amounts of
	arms and ammunitions were captured by the LTTE.
	
9 SOLDIERS KILLED IN KOYILKULAM
	In Murungan on the 30th November 1997, Captain Ellilarasan and Captain
	Nithi were martyred.  On Tuesday 2nd December 1997, in remembrance of
	these two martyrs,  the LTTE forces carried out an attack on a Sri
	Lankan Army bus. The bus was traveling from Thampalai Army Camp
	towards Uyillankkulam.  In this attack more than 9 soldiers were
	killed.  The remaining soldiers fled with injuries and there were no
	LTTE casualties.
	
(English translation of the news released by LTTE International Secretariat,
211 Katherine Road, London E6 1BU, United Kingdom. Tel:0181- 503 4294)