Sri Lanka Air Force MI-24 Helicopter gun ships carried out close air support mission targeting LTTE gathering place in 5 1/2 Km north of Vellankulam this afternoon, 05 August.

Air Force spokesperson, Wing Commander Janaka Nanayakkara, speaking to defence.lk said that the air sorties were carried out around 2.00 PM to assist the ground troops advancing northwards along the A-32, Mannar - Poonaryn, main road.

It is observed that the LTTE terrorists withdrawn after loosing their strongholds located along the western coast in Vidattaltivu, Illuppaikkadavai and Vellankulam areas have reorganized in this targeted area to make resistance for the advancing troops.