Mysterious death of 15 young SLN recruits in Delft

[TamilNet, Friday, 20 June 2008, 22:40 GMT]
More than 15 young Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) recruits between 16 to 20 years of age were found dead following a mysterious shooting incident in their camp, last Monday, in Delft (Neduntheevu), the farthest island off Jaffna. Unconfirmed reports allege collective suicide due to frustration caused by isolation and harsh training. Before the incident, the trainees had conveyed their frustrations to reliable sources. The trainees were reportedly deceived by their recruiters that they were to be trained somewhere in the South of Sri Lanka, but had been brought to Nedunththeevu in the North.

Gunshots were heard Monday night in the SLN base.

The bodies of the deceased were transported to Kayts in the early hours of Tuesday. But, no judicial inquiry was conducted.

The SLN is reported to have alleged an LTTE attack for the death of the 15 recruits.

After the successful Sea Tiger raid on Neduntheevu in May 2007, the SLN has extended and strengthened its fortifications in the island and is believed to be using it as a training base.



Chronology:


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