In her first statement on the recent hostilities, Mrs Kumaratunga said on Monday that she had ordered the army high command to resign following the loss of a number of important military bases. Meanwhile, the BBC's Susannah Price in Colombo says army reinforcements have moved to secure defenses around the strategic garrison town of Vavuniya, now only 20 km from the frontline.
Residents say they can hear the sound of mortar fire and shells fired by the rebels.
Reports from Vavuniya say the army has been requisitioning a few of the trucks brought in by traders. A further 743 had been wounded and 122 were reported missing, while over 150 Tigers had been killed, she said. New commanders appointed in the reorganisation have begun sending reinforcements to shore up defences. Government setbacks The AP news agency reports that some soldiers abandoned their posts and others mutinied during the latest fighting. Some are quoted as saying that they will not be able to hold off another major rebel offensive without extra troops.