EPDP cadre shot dead in Batticaloa

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 27 July 2005, 05:30 GMT]
Mr. Pankirajah George, 39, a cadre of the paramilitary group Eelam Peoples Democratic Party (EPDP), was shot and killed by an unidentified gunman riding a bicycle Tuesday night around 11:00 p.m., Batticaloa Police said. The incident took place 2 km. south of Batticaloa town, at Chinese Road in Puthur located close to the Valaiiravu airbase, within the High Security Zone of the Sri Lankan forces.

The EPDP cadre, also known as Ramesh, was attached to the EPDP's Chenkalady office. Ramesh, a father of two children, was residing in Theemaltheevu in Batticaloa.

The gunman had used 9 mm handgun, according to Batticaloa Police conducting investigations into the killing.

Police sent the body to Batticaloa Hospital for post-mortem.

The paramilitary group EPDP is a close ally of Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga.