Mannar SLN rampage causes $5m damage to property

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 21 June 2006, 10:35 GMT]
Outboard engines, fibre glass boats, fishing nets and other related accessories belonging to fishermen of Pesalai, and Vankalaipadu in Mannar districts costing nearly US$5m were burnt and destroyed in the arson following the fire fight between the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Mannar Sea last week, according to preliminary reports submitted by the Mannar Divisional Secretary to the District Secretariat Wednesday, civil sources said.

In Vankalaipadu, nine fibre glass boats, 43 Out Board Engines, 70 fishing huts and fishing nets and related accessories belonged to 68 fishermen were destroyed in fire. The total loss is estimated at about US$2.8m, the report said.

In Pesalai thirteen outboard engines, thirty six fibre glass boats and 03 three and a half ton fishing trawlers, two canoes and 28 fishing huts with fishing nets and gear were destroyed in fire. The total loss is estimated at about US$2.1m, the report added.

Meanwhile nine business establishments were also burnt down during that period incurring a loss of about US$5.7K, the report said.