Government releases SLA casualty figures for the month of February

(March 06, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The Government of Sri Lanka (GSL) today released official casualty figures sustained by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) in their operations against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). According to GOSL figures, 104 soldiers have been killed in battle and another 822 have been wounded in the month of February. 81 civilians too have perished while another 201 were wounded.

Casualty figures released today are in league with figures released by DefenceNet on the 17th of February [Second paragraph]. Although exact number of LTTE casualties are not available, DefenceNet learns that the number of LTTE cadres killed in February exceeds 400 (air, ground and sea losses combined). In addition to the deaths, a significant number of cadres have been wounded. According to Military Intelligence, LTTE cadres wounded in these battles are being treated in 9 major hospitals in uncleared areas.

The army is fighting along four major battlefronts in the hope of invading LTTE controlled Wanni heartland; Mannar front (58th division), Vavuniya front (57th division), Weli Oya front (59th division) and national front (Muhamalai/Nagarkovil/Kilali - 53rd and 55th division).

-Defence Net