15 December, 2008 - Published 17:18 GMT

'Shell attacks' on Mullaitivu hospital

Two wards of the Mullaitivu government hospital were damaged after heavy shell attacks on Monday, officials said.

Medical Officer (MO) at Mullaitivu hospital, Dr. S Shanmugarajah told BBC Sandeshaya that resident patients were removed from the hospital as a precautionary measure.

Patients were transferred to Pudukudiyiruppu hospital and staff have also left due to security reasons, he said.

Mullaitivu and Pudukudiyiruppu are currently controlled by the Tamil Tigers.

'Ampakamam captured'

Shell attacks also fell on few other places in Mullaitivu, Dr. Shanmugarajah said.

There were no reports of any casualties.

Dr. Shanmugarajah added that there may not be casualties as civilians have already left Mullaitivu as a result of increasing hostilities.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan security forces say that they captured Ampakamam village, eight kilometres east from A9 highway, Mullaittivu.

The capture follows a few days of heavy fighting with the LTTE, Media Centre for National Security (MCNS) said.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) fighter helicopters bombed "LTTE gathering point" south of of Mullaitivu, it added.

In Kilinochchi, the MCNS said that jets carried out three air strikes on LTTE positions.