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BATTLE // April 23, 2000

Second Battle of Elephant Pass

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Overview

The Second Battle of Elephant Pass, was fought from December 1999 to April 2000 for the control of the Sri Lankan military base in Elephant Pass, Jaffna.

Overview adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Significance

The Second Battle of Elephant Pass was fought from December 1999 to April 2000 for control of the Sri Lankan military base at Elephant Pass, Jaffna. The engagement involved approximately 15,000 Sri Lankan military personnel against an LTTE force of around 5,000, with each side sustaining roughly 1,000 casualties. Elephant Pass held strategic importance as a gateway to the Jaffna Peninsula, making its control central to the broader contest over the north during the Sri Lankan civil war. The battle formed part of the sustained LTTE effort to challenge government military footholds in the region during a period of intensified conflict.

Forces & casualties

Troop strength

  • Military of Sri Lanka15,000
    medium
  • Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam5,000
    medium

Military of Sri Lanka fielded a 3.0 : 1 numerical advantage

Casualties

  • Military of Sri Lanka1,000
    medium7% loss rate
  • Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam1,000
    medium20% loss rate
Order of battle →Casualties in detail →

Commanders (16)

Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam

Military of Sri Lanka

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Last verified June 2026
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