LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                13. January 1997
PRESS RELEASE
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM

SINHALA SOLDIER COMMITS SUICIDE
        A Sinhala soldier has taken his own life at an army camp in Mali
        Santhi (military-occupied Vadamaradchy district). He is reported
        to have shot himself. The incident is an indication of the
        growing disillusionment and waning morale among Sinhala soldiers
        who are presently occupying Tamils' ancient homeland. Soldiers in
        the camp had apparently earlier been watching video footage of
        the LTTE overrunning of Pooneryn army base in 1993.

SRI LANKAN TROOPS UNDER CONSTANT ATTACK
        This week has seen an increase in LTTE activity in the north and
        east. The vulnerability of Sri Lankan troops stationed on
        traditionally Tamil soil is becoming increasingly apparent:
        
        A military vehicle was blown up by an LTTE landmine killing 10
        Sri Lankan troops and injuring a further 12. The incident
        occurred yesterday at 3.35pm in Kachchai (Thenmaradchy
        district).The LTTE cadres were unharmed.
        
        Again in Kachchai (Thenmaradchy) the LTTE attacked a
        mini-military camp causing the entire contingent to eventually
        flee. Many Sri Lankan soldiers received serious injuries but it
        is not yet known whether any later died. The soldiers left behind
        a significant quantity of ammunition which is now in the
        possession of the LTTE. There were no LTTE casualties.
        
        At least five Sri Lankan soldiers died and sixteen were badly
        wounded when the LTTE staged attacks on a chain of military
        sentry points at Poovarasamkulam (Vavuniya). The attacks took
        place at 3am yesterday morning and secured a further supply of
        arms and ammunition for the LTTE. The LTTE lost two fighters.
        
        The LTTE took on an army unit advancing towards 78th Colony in
        Pullumalai (Batticaloa) killing two soldiers. This also took
        place yesterday. One LTTE fighter was killed.

SOLDIERS SHOOT TWO TAMILS
        Two more Tamil civilians have been arbitrarily shot dead by Sri
        Lankan troops occupying the Tamil homeland. Elite STF troops in
        Wellaweli (Batticaloa) on Saturday morning opened fire on father
        of five Chelliah (65) and a Tamil youth named Kanapathipillai
        Paghirathan (23).

TAMIL SCHOOL CHILDREN ORDERED TO CARRY ID
        The Sri Lankan government is issuing special identity cards which
        Tamil school children in military-run Vavuniya will be compelled
        to carry. An army announcement stated that all Tamil people
        should immediately get photographs of their children taken in
        preparation. The government will not contribute towards the cost
        of the photographs, a fact likely to create difficulties for the
        already over-burdened Tamil population there. Children of
        displaced Tamil families are also expected to carry the new
        compulsory cards and these families too will have to bear the
        cost of photographs. The measures denote a further erosion of the
        civil liberties of Tamils.

POUNDING OF VILLAGES CONTINUES
        In the aftermath of its defeat at Paranthan and Elephant Pass,
        Sri Lanka has sent Pucarra bombers to fly over Vattakachchi
        (Kilinochchi district). On Sunday morning the planes dropped a
        series of bombs on this residential Tamil village. Locals managed
        to flee in time to avoid civilian casualties but many of their
        homes were demolished and scores of trees pulverised. Meanwhile,
        new artillery pieces have been brought to Kilinochchi and are now
        pounding neighbouring Tamil villages. So far, many herds of goats
        and cattle have been killed.

TAMILS FORCED TO COMMUNICATE IN SINHALA
        Tamil transport workers in Sri Lankan-occupied Tamil parts of
        Trincomallee are being forced to conduct their business in the
        Sinhala medium only. Application forms, exit permits and other
        official correspondence are devised exclusively in the Sinhala
        language which 80% of workers in the Trincomallee transport
        service (who are Tamil) cannot understand. It is yet another
        example of how the Sri Lankan government occupying Tamil
        districts is trying to thrust Sinhala on Tamils in the hope of
        destroying the cultural integrity of the Tamil nation.

NEW HOSPITAL WARD OPENS - VANNI
        Mulankavil hospital in LTTE-administered Vanni has opened a new
        20-bed ward. However, hospital authorities are now searching for
        donors to help obtain a generator. Sri Lanka stops power
        generation equipment, medicines and essential food-stuffs to
        Tamil areas which it has been unable to militarily occupy. As a
        result the Tamil people of the Vanni have become increasingly
        desperate and diseases are rapidly spreading. Charities have been
        approached for further assistance for the Mulankavil hospital.

HUGE CEREMONY PLANNED
        A massive religious ceremony is being arranged to mark Thai
        Pungal day on January 14 at Katpaham Ganesha hindu temple
        (Pramanthan). The public, together with religious leaders and
        other respected members of the Tamil nation, will conduct prayers
        for the liberation of Tamil Eelam.

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/ Fax: 0181-470 8593)