3RD LEAD:

Thirteen SLN troopers killed in Claymore attack in Mannar

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 December 2005, 09:21 GMT]
Thirteen Sri Lanka Navy sailors were killed and more than fifteen sailors were wounded in a Claymore attack on their bus in Pesalai 15 km northwest of Mannar around 1:30 p.m. Friday, SLN sources said. The vehicle, a bus, sustained heavy damage and has burned down, according to civilian sources. Sri Lanka Military has blocked all traffic.

The explosion took place at Thullukudiyiruppu near Pesalai close to a housing scheme, sources said.

At least four sailors were rushed to Mannar Hospital, medical sources said. One trooper succumbed to his wounds at the hospital. The wounded soldiers were airlifted to Anuradhapura Hospital, navy sources said.

More than 600 civilian travellers were stranded at Tharapuram, a Muslim village, and forced to stay overnight in Mannar, civilian sources said.

The navy troopers were on their way to their base in Talaimannar when their bus was attacked.