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Colombo warns LTTE of reprisal

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: The Sri Lanka Government on Wednesday issued a stern warning to the Tigers that henceforth, the militant organisation would be made to pay for its provocative actions.

Coinciding with the announcement, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombed an alleged LTTE factory that produced arms, ammunition and mines at Pudukaduirippu in Mullaittivu in the north. The military described it as a successful operation.

The statement by the Defence spokesperson and Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said that for 25 years the Tigers have got away with their actions without "consequences" and it would no longer be so.

In a strong reaction to the "abduction" and subsequent release of 23 students by the LTTE in the east on Tuesday, the Minister said the Government was determined to establish its writ and respond strongly to wanton kidnappings and killings by the Tigers.

On the Air Force bombing, the LTTE said the air force bombed a civilian settlement in Mullaittivu. "Some houses were damaged and no casualties have been reported so far," it said.

On the kidnap and subsequent release of 23 students by the LTTE on Tuesday, the Minister said the credit should go to the proactive role by the media. The Defence spokesman said the Government would not tolerate any longer terrorist activities by the LTTE. "The Government will not allow the LTTE to get away and will take necessary steps so that they will have to face the consequences", he said.

TamilNet reported that thousands of Tamils in London have been paying their respects to Anton Balasingham, the LTTE's theoretician and chief negotiator who passed away last Thursday.

"Thousands of people are filing past Mr. Balasingham's body which is lying in state at Alexandra Palace in north London. In parallel, a funeral service is being held in Vanni, with footage from each location being broadcast to the other," it said.

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