Aug 28, Colombo: Sri Lankan troops advancing ahead of frontlines in Northern Sri Lanka to liberate the Wanni region from LTTE control have reached a milestone of capturing a significant rebel controlled area.

Troops of Task Force-2 and 59 Division captured the Palamoddai Town, west of A-9 Road, near Omanthai, and Ulathuvely beach area, 4 km to the north of Kokkutuduvai in the Welioya front, this afternoon.

According to defense sources, government troops of Task Force 2 advancing along the north-western border of the Vavuniya district, on the west of the A-9 road have gained the total control over the Palamoddai town area.

The Tigers have resisted heavily holding to this strategically vital area and delaying the security forces advances. With Palamoddai fallen, the Tigers have to make more efforts to defend their territory in north of Omanthai area to face the fast moving soldiers towards Kilinochchi.

Simultaneously, troops of the 59 Division advanced to the north of Kokkutoduvai have captured the Ulathuvely area, about 4 km, north of Kokkutoduvai, a strategically important beachfront.

Emboldened by the recent successes in the battlefield Sri Lankan Army has made significant gains capturing territory once controlled by the Tigers. The Army has vowed to capture the whole area by the end of the year.