Colombo: Sri Lankan security forces on Wednesday captured a key Tamil Tiger base in the island's embattled east as part of a move to evict the guerrillas from the coastal region.
The army said it took control of Kokkadichcholai in Batticaloa district and seized arms, ammunition, mines and several buildings used by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
"Marking one more milestone in the army's forward march to secure the besieged eastern areas from LTTE clutches, valiant troops this morning completely brought Kokkadichcholai under their control," the army said.
It gave no details of the casualties. There was no immediate comment from the Tigers.
The statement came a day after Tamil Tiger rebels set off a suicide bomb attack against an army camp in Battiocaloa and killed nine people.
Meanwhile, the government has set up a hot line to seek information about the aircraft operated by the LTTE after they carried out a daring aerial attack against the military two days ago.
President Mahinda Rajapakse, who has ordered an investigation into the security lapses that led to the aerial attack by the Tigers, has proposed the idea. A spokesman for the President said the toll free telephone number 116 has been set up and would enable the public to give information about flying Tigers.
Using light aircraft, Tamil rebels bombed the Katunayake military airbase near the international airport here on Monday, killing three airmen and injuring 16.
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