Colombo - Sri Lankan troops yesterday pulled out of a key northern town in the face of fierce attacks by Tamil Tiger rebels, to prevent more casualties in four days of battles that had left hundreds killed or wounded, officials said.
They said troops had withdrawn from Mankulam, as well as surrounding areas, and moved further south to Kanagarayankulam as the rebels stepped up artillery attacks. A Defence Ministry statement said that fighting between the troops and rebels was continuing in the northern Wanni region.