LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                06. February 1997


PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

TAMIL VILLAGE UNDER HEAVY ATTACK
        A Tamil village is under heavy fire from Sri Lankan forces who
        are conducting their latest military offensive in the northern
        Tamil homeland. A 20,000-strong Sri Lankan force which set off
        from Vavuniya on Tuesday is now ceaselessly pounding the village
        of Chettikulam (west of Vavuniya). Early reports suggest there is
        already a significant civilian death-toll with local families
        taken by surprise and young and old completely disorientated. But
        the mainly aerial raids continue unabated. Other nearby villages
        have also reported heavy attacks. Further details of casualties
        are awaited. The unrestrained character of this latest military
        offensive confirms many observers' fears that an intensive effort
        to diminish the north-east Tamil population was being prepared by
        Sri Lanka.

MORE SHELLING FROM ARMY CAMP
        Heavy shelling has been reported from the Sri Lankan army base at
        Elephant Pass. Tamil residents in surrounding areas were woken
        from sleep at 4 am yesterday when the barrage began. The
        unrelenting assault has forced yet another exodus of Tamils away
        from their life-long homes.

SRI LANKA HALTS FOOD LORRIES
        Military authorities at Thandikulam have called a complete halt
        to food lorries trying to pass through to Vanni, a region not
        occupied by Sri Lanka. 30 lorries carrying essential foods are
        now trapped in Vavuniya with no further notice to proceed being
        given. The people living in Vanni have long been at the receiving
        end of food restrictions but it seems the latest policy is to
        allow no items through at all. Even travellers passing either way
        through the military checkpoint at Thandikulam have been turned
        back, suggesting a more rigid policy. Ironically, this total
        blockade on food to Tamil areas took full effect on Sri Lankan
        "independence" day. Meanwhile, medicines continue to be denied to
        the Vanni region also. On Tuesday an elderly Tamil woman wanting
        to travel through the Thandikulam barrier was thoroughly
        searched. When soldiers found her medicines in her bag, they
        mixed them all together and made the woman swallow the whole lot
        before sending her away.

YOUTH TORTURED TO DEATH
        A young Tamil man has been found beaten to death after torture at
        the hands of the Sinhala army occupying Thenmaradchy. The death
        of Vijayanar (29) has caused deep anxiety and distress among the
        Tamil residents of his home town, Meesalai. Relations between
        civilians and the Sri Lankan army in the occupied territories are
        becoming more and more strained as cases of abuse, torture and
        murder of innocent boys and girls escalate.


TAMILS FORCED TO CLEAN SOLDIERS' TOILETS
        Sri Lankan 'elite' STF soldiers at Palukamam army camp have made
        it compulsory for Tamils in the area to clean the camp's toilets.
        Once a week, the males of the village are summoned to the site
        and ordered to carry out the lavatory-cleaning service free of
        charge. The practice originates from the time of ancient Sinhala
        kings who exacted the same service - called 'Rajakariya' - from
        their subjects. Sri Lanka tells the world that all ethnic
        communities on the island can expect equal treatment under its
        rule.

NUTRITION CENTRE OPENS TODAY
        Nutritional schemes started in the LTTE-run Pooneryn area are
        beginning to bear fruit, with children's' health showing
        improvements. The Mulankavil Development Society's "Accelerated
        Development Scheme" continues its good work today by opening a
        new nutrition and child-care centre in Mulankavil. The intention
        is to target malnutrition among the young and poor. Malnutrition
        has become rife as a consequence of Sri Lanka's block on food and
        medicine to Tamil regions. The new centre, actively supported by
        the LTTE, hopes to give special care to those worst affected,
        including children whose parents have been killed by Sri Lankan
        forces. 
        
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 / Fax: 0181-470 8593)