At least 3,000 civilians, held hostage by the LTTE inside the new safety zone along the Mullaithivu sea coast, escaped on Thursday as the Sri Lanka military opened up an escape route.
The Lankan military believe that the exodus from the LTTE-held area is expected to pick up as the army is helping stranded Tamil civilians in the current phase of the operation.
The latest rescue operation began amid concern expressed by the UN Security Council and US President Barack Obama over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis inside the new safe zone, and an offer by the Tigers to enter into talks with the Sri Lanka government in the "interest of the civilians."
Earlier on Wednesday, waging a desperate battle for survival, the Tamil Tigers launched a wave of suicide attacks on land and sea, but failed to stall the advance of Sri Lankan forces, who broke through their defences as fierce fighting left 44 rebels dead and many soldiers wounded.
The renewed heavy fighting raged as both sides ignored new international calls for ceasefire. Aid and rights groups claimed that the civilians were being used as "cannon fodder".
Two divisions of Lankan forces advancing on the trapped LTTE fighters captured a vital causeway, which could help them in organising another break out attempt for an estimated 50,000 people still trapped in the battle zone.
