In early October the Army secured Karappukuthi, eight miles south-east of Mankulam. Thereafter, accompanied by artillery and aerial bombing, troops advanced in three fronts westward. Rs 150 million. In late October Deputy Defence minister Anuruddha Ratwatte claimed for the third time in two years that Tiger leader Prabhakaran s 1-4 Base in Mullaitivu jungles was destroyed. The Airforce sunk a Tiger supply ship off Mullaitivu on 2 November.
Reports say substantial quantities of arms had been unloaded before the attack.
Mullaitivu Government Agent R Tharmakulasingham says continuous Army shelling and Airforce bombing has led to chaos. No food is currently sent to the district by the Essential Services Commissioner and only two-weeks food is available. May. Mr Ratwatte announced in early October that local elections in Jaffna will be held in January. London Guardian correspondent Suzanne Goldenberg who visited the peninsula says daily life under the gaze of 25,000 Sri Lankan soldiers, who cannot speak Tamil, remains precarious and the Army has lost its battle for hearts and minds. The LTTE attacked the Army at Sarasalai on 6 October killing a soldier.