Dec 01, Colombo: Sri Lanka Army troops of 57 Division this morning captured the LTTE controlled town of Kokavil situated along the main A-9 highway in Northern Sri Lanka, the military said.

Defence sources said the troops in an offensive launched early yesterday morning advanced towards the northeast of the A -9 road and entered the Kokavil town which is about 15 km north of Mankulama. Troops have moved southwards to Mankulama from Kokavil clearing the A -9 highway.

Sri Lankan Army lost control of Kokavil to LTTE in 1990 after the Tigers overran the Kokavil camp following a month long siege. In 1985 Tigers triggering a landmine at Kokavil blasted the southbound train from Jaffna carrying servicemen, police personnel and hundreds of civilians killing 28 soldiers and 11 civilians.