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Army controls populated areas of Jaffna: Kumaratunga

An embattled Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga has asserted that government forces are in control of the populated areas of the Jaffna peninsula, where a battle is on with the rebel Tamil Tigers.

The president, who escaped an assassination attempt on her by the rebels last year, said the army had to move back strategically from some places, which have been since occupied by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

"The LTTE has been able to launch a very strong attack on Jaffna. The army has had to move backwards strategically," she told CNN on Monday night.

Kumaratunga also admitted that the strategic town of Chavakachcheri in the northern peninsula had fallen, confirming a rebel claim made last week.

"They are very strongly present in Chavakachcheri, which is by the sea," she said.

She said the LTTE had been contained after further attacks by the rebels were repulsed following which they had been forced to move in the opposite direction.

"The LTTE is now in some areas where we moved off. The forces are in control of the population centre of the peninsular and crucial areas," she said.

On what the international community could do to help, Kumarantunga said she would like governments and their people to recognise terror when they see it.

She said Norway was trying very hard to persuade the LTTE to come to the negotiating table, but it did not seem as if the Tigers understand the language of democratic governance. "But I am an eternal optimist," she added.

Delving into the trauma inflicted by crises in the island nation, the president, whose father and husband were assassinated, said she was prepared to take such a shock. "Because I had several traumas, to get over each one became easier."

She said her children hate her for staying in politics. "They are very concerned. They have also lost a father through violence. It is difficult when you have children."

UNI

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