Nov 16, Colombo: A day after Army captured the key LTTE Tiger rebel stronghold of Pooneryn and took control of the entire northwestern coast of the country, Sri Lankan troops are now in fresh battles to capture the rebel's administrative center of Kilinochchi.

Troops of the 57 Division, in a multi-prong offensive launched south of the Akkarayankulama- Terumurikkandy road have reached the outer perimeters of Kokavil today amid stiff resistance by the LTTE, the military said.

Citing Wanni military sources the Defense Ministry said the troops have gained control over the Kokavil tower area, located southwest of the Kokavil junction. Tigers fired mortars towards the advancing troops but the troops retaliated fire damaging Tiger weaponry, technical sources disclosed.

Following the clashes, troops found one dead LTTE cadre, three T-56 weapons and one radio set from the area.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Air Force fighter jets launched multiple air strikes on LTTE positions along the LTTE forward defense line at Muhamalai in Jaffna early in the morning and this afternoon.

Air Force spokesman Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara said that the air strikes were launched in support of the ground troops.

The troops of 59 Division operating in the Northeast destroyed sixteen well-fortified bunkers in the north of Andankulam in a day-long battle on Saturday. Troops recovered a body of a LTTE cadre and a haul of arms including ammunition, anti-personnel mines and hand grenades.

Following the victory the military has stepped up its offensive against the rebels to capture Kilinochchi, the capital of rebel’s quasi state.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa while congratulating the troops yesterday on their success urged the LTTE leader Prabhakaran to lay down the arms and start negotiations.