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28 killed in Sri Lanka clashes

COLOMBO: At least 28 persons, 14 cadres of the LTTE, three soldiers and 11 personnel of the Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF), were killed in clashes between the security forces and the Tamil Tigers in the 48 hours in the north and east, going by versions from both sides.

A statement by the Defence Ministry claimed that following a fierce exchange of gunfire on Friday in separate locations at Kadeperumakulama and Kallikulama areas in Vavuniya, at least 14 cadres of the Tigers were killed.

“LTTE elements were believed to have taken a heavy beating when troops retaliated with rapid fire at identified terrorist targets. The limited duel between security forces and LTTE erupted when troops detected terrorist elements attempting to breach the security lines, at Kadeperumakulama around 11.35a.m. “Military reports were based on substantial information gained through intercepted LTTE communication. Three valiant soldiers sacrificed their lives while successfully repulsing the terrorist offensive”, the Ministry said.

Separately, as per the Defence Ministry, troops in Kallikulama area confronted LTTE elements on two occasions, killing eight cadres of the Tigers.

TamilNet claimed that 11 STF troopers were killed and four others were injured in four separate LTTE attacks in Ampara district on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in the east.

Quoting LTTE district political head of Ampara, P. Kaviyarasan, TamilNet said two STF troopers were killed and two others injured when a claymore mine exploded near a tractor carrying STF personnel at Kagnchikkudichchaaru on Friday.

It said in another incident, one STF personnel was killed when an STF group attempting to enter the LTTE controlled territory at Vammiyadi came under attack.

TamilNet claimed two more STF members were killed when their foot patrol party came under attack at Rubesh Kulam. Four STF troopers were killed and two seriously injured when another STF foot patrol came under attack at Bakmitiyawa.

Separately, the Sri Lanka Navy said the Eastern Navy headquarters will hold a felicitation ceremony for the naval task group Offshore Patrol Vessels returning from what Navy Chief Vice-Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda called as the marine force’s biggest triumph in the entire Eelam conflict.

SLNS Samudura, SLNS Suranimala, SLNS Shakthi and SLNS Samudra were involved in the operation which reportedly sank three Tiger gun ships over 600 nautical miles southeast of Sri Lanka early last week.

In another development, the LTTE Peace Secretariat said, “Tamil homeland celebrates the 20th anniversary of Lt. Col. Thileepan, a martyr who began a fast for the freedom of the Tamil people in 1987 on this date.”

A report posted on the LTTE website claimed that Thileepan had put forward five requests to the government of India which had sent its military to the “Tamil homeland.” The report said, “However, the government of India remained insensitive to the requests of martyr Thileepan. He attained martyrdom on the 12th day of his fast on 26th September 1987.”

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