Parts of Kilali in Thenmaratchy area were held by the military despite continued LTTE attacks. But the Sri Lankan forces suffered another blow when Chavakachcheri, the second largest town in the peninsula, fell on 20 May after heavy fighting. The Tigers also captured a section of Sarasalai, three miles north of Chavakachcheri. LTTE attempts to move further north-east, through Manthuvil, into Vadamaratchy proved unsuccessful. But the Army mounted operations from Meesalai towards Sarasalai in the north-west and Chavakachcheri in the south-west regaining some lost territory.
The Tigers fired artillery shells at Palaly airbase and Kankesanthurai naval base damaging the runway and communication towers. Reports say that five LTTE cadre blew themselves up after Army surrounded a hideout in Atchuveli, four miles south-east of Palaly.
By late May, the LTTE had withdrawn from some areas of the eastern part of Jaffna municipality, but held sections of Columbuthurai and Ariyalai. Some observers say that the LTTE is unable to advance further into Jaffna town or towards Palaly from Sarasalai, since the armed forces received new weaponry in May. Others believe that the Tigers are consolidating captured areas and are preparing for another assault.
In Mannar District on the mainland, the LTTE continued to keep up the pressure on the security forces. Two policemen were killed in a Tiger attack in early May on Mannar-Vavuniya road. Five other policemen were injured by a landmine at Uppukulam on 11 May. The Army searched Arippu area on 14 May and arrested Sea Tiger, Varani.
Mannar fishermen have been ordered to place their boats and engines near any Army camp on the coast, at the end of each day. The military say that the arrangement is to prevent the boats being used for smuggling banned goods into LTTE territory in north Mannar.
The daily supply of 35 litres of kerosene to fishermen was reduced in May to 25 litres, alleging that fuel was reaching the LTTE. Vanni MP A Adaikalanathan says that the government has stopped dry rations to fishermen resettled in Silavathurai, 16 miles south of Mannar town. At the same time, fishing in Silavathurai is banned under Emergency regulations.
The Sri Lankan Navy shot and wounded three fishermen, including a 72 year-old man, at Silavathurai on 13 May. Reports say that a Navy patrol vessel approached the coast and fired on the village for 30 minutes.