The army had opened a new front on west of Jaffna-Kandy road to flank 57 Division.

Military spokesman Brigadier Uadaya Nanayakkara said the newly created Task Force 11 would advance northwards while the 57 Division stepped up pressure on the LTTE holding on to Periyamadu, about 16 kilometers north of Madhu.

The 57 Division and Task Force 11 would advance on the uncleared areas, the newly created 61 Division would be deployed on a holding role in areas captured by the 57 Division. The 57 Division had regained about 600 square kilometers since it launched operations last year.

The Division 57 is about 26 kilometers north of the Vavuniya-Mannar main supply route and the Task Force 11, too would be able to make good progress, Military spokesman said.

The Task Force 1 on the Mannar front had advanced up to Adampan and on yesterday captured a further three square kilometers in Adampan general area.