71.   Defence sources said at least five of them crashed due to enemy action.

72.   Defence sources said Fernandes was likely to call a meeting of commanders in the military garrison town of Ganganagar.

73.   Defence sources said Fernandes was likely to call a meeting of key commanders in the military garrison town of Ganganagar, Rajasthan.

74.   Defence sources said junior defence minister Anuruddha Ratwatte and army chief Gerry de Silva were in Palaly directing the latest offensive.

75.   Defence sources said most officers were against meddling in politics, but supported intervention if the situation got out of hand as maintaining order was a prime concern.

76.   Defence sources said orders have been sent to barracks for troops and medical teams to standby to move out any time.

77.   Defence sources said seven more STF men were missing after the confrontation in the Kangikudichchiaru jungles of Ampara.

78.   Defence sources said some changes were also being discussed within the armed forces, with a large number of postings or retirements expected.

79.   Defence sources said that Kumaratunga wants the Tigers to allow civilians from the Jaffna peninsula to use a land route that runs through a strategic government military base.

80.   Defence sources said that the Tigers were smarting after they lost their self-styled Lieutenant Colonel Malli, gunned down by army commandos in the northeastern Weli Oya region.