Pottu Amman in command

Sri Lanka Army units deployed just 500- 400 m short of the LTTE built earth bund on the border of the NFZ in Ampalavanpokkanai West, reported sighting of a large group of people gathering in the NFZ during the afternoon hours before the explosions and shooting began. The sources suspect a serious clash between the LTTE terrorists and their civilian hostages held in the zone.

" Troops have observed something similar to organized gathering of people in the area in front of them following an announcement made to the LTTE terrorists to release the civilian hostages and to lay down their arms", said our correspondent .
Unconfirmed military sources said that Pottu Amman, the so-called intelligence leader of the LTTE had taken the overall command of the outfit with Prabhakaran’s fast deteriorating mental health condition and Velawan has been appointed as new military chief.

“Civilians who sought refuge with the Security Forces have told that Pottu Amman has issued strict orders to LTTE cadres manning the borders of the No Fire Zone (NFZ) to shoot at any civilian who dares to escape from the NFZ. The orders have been given following the LTTE’s recent debacle in Puthukudiyiruppu East”, defence sources said.
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