LTTE Headquarters,
                                                Tamil Eelam.
                                                25. June 1997

PRESS RELEASE (2)
NEWS FROM TAMIL EELAM
                                           
LTTE FORCES GET JAYA SIKURU'S "HEAD"
	LTTE forces have dealt a devastating blow to the "head" of Sri
	Lanka's army column which is advancing through Vanni. In the
	attack beginning 9.30pm yesterday, the army's entire 120mm
	artillery base at Periamadu was wiped out together with its
	surrounding security zones. The immaculate operation secured for
	the LTTE one 120mm artillery piece, 300 artillery shells and the
	lower vehicular segments of five more artillery pieces. A number
	of armoured vehicles and small arms were also captured before
	LTTE forces withdrew.
	
	More than 100 Sri Lankan troops have been killed with a further
	200 soldiers severely injured. 85 LTTE fighters lost their lives.
	
	The successful attack comes within two weeks of the massive LTTE
	strike at Thandikulam which - contrary to the defence ministry's
	acknowledgement - killed over 300 Sri Lankan troops.

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)