Battle of Chalai explained

Conflict:Battle of Chalai
Partof:Sri Lankan Civil War,
2008–2009 SLA Northern offensive
Date:February 2–6, 2009
Place:Chalai, North of Mullaitivu
Territory:LTTE-controlled area decreased to 200 square kilometers[1]
Result:Sri Lankan Army victory
Combatant1: Military of Sri Lanka
Combatant2:Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
Commander1:Lt. Gen Sarath Fonseka:
Maj. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya,
Brig. Prasanna Silva
Commander2:Velupillai Prabhakaran


Vinayagam

Strength1:Sri Lanka Army


55 Division

Strength2:Unknown

The Battle of Chalai was an armed confrontation over control of Chalai, Sri Lanka between the 55 Division of the Sri Lankan Military and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the Sri Lankan civil war, fought in February 2009. Chalai was the final Sea Tiger base held by the LTTE during the Northern Theatre of Eelam War IV.[2] Fighting lasted for five days, following which the 55 Division took control of the area.[3] During the engagement, one soldier was wounded when a bomb carried by a child between 13 and 16 years of age exploded. The Sri Lankan Army indicates this suicide bomber was sent by the LTTE. Witnesses describe the boy behaving as though he had been "drugged or severely harassed before the mission."[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090205_08 "Troops capture Chalai"
  2. http://lankaenews.com/English/news.php?id=7386 Two hour battle in Chalai Sea
  3. Web site: Troops capture Chalai . 2009-02-06 . 2009-06-11 . Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order, Sri Lanka . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090227182635/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090205_08 . 2009-02-27 .
  4. Web site: Child suicide bomber sent to army frontline in Chalai . 2009-02-06 . 2009-06-11 . Ministry of Defence, Public Security, Law and Order, Sri Lanka . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090218211208/http://defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20090205_10 . 2009-02-18 .