With LTTE troops hammering the key northern base of Elephant Pass, the government has appointed an army general to the combined leadership of all branches of the armed forces. A retired general was appointed commander of all combat troops in all three armed forces. The government also admitted that the LTTE had again cut the A-9 (north-south) highway, which is used to supply the Elephant Pass base. The army has been unable to dislodge the LTTE from the highway.