20 July, 2008 - Published 12:53 GMT

Key town in Mannar 'captured'

Sri Lanka defence ministry says its troops captured a strategically important town of Iluppaikkadavai in Mannar district on Sunday.

The ministry described the town as another large LTTE stronghold situated in north-western coast in Sri Lanka.

Iluppaikkadavai, 12km north of Vidattaltivu which was captured by the troops on Friday, has been under LTTE control for 21 years, the statement said.

The military has captured a LTTE base in the town described as the 'largest LTTE base in the north-western coast'.

No LTTE response

The ministry quoted Military spokesman, Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara, as saying that 15 LTTE members were during two days of fighting leading to the capture of the LTTE base.

The Tamil Tigers have not responded to ministry's claims.

Meanwhile, pro-rebel websites say hundreds of civilians have been displaced by the current fighting.

Journalists are not allowed to the war zone and is not possible to independently verify these reports.

Clashes in Sri Lanka have intensified in recent months amid government promises to capture territory held by the rebels.