Commanding officer at Kommathurai Military Camp killed

[TamilNet, Saturday, 28 October 2006, 20:26 GMT]
B.D.Wijetunga, 42, the commanding officer, Artillery Division of Kommathurai military camp, was seriously injured during a gunfire exchange with unknown gunmen near Eastern University campus in Vantharoomoolai, Batticaloa on Saturday at 12:30 pm, sources in Batticaloa said. He was admitted to Batticaloa Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, hospital sources said.

The clash occurred after a convoy of Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers returning for vacation had passed the area, sources said.

The attack targeted the troops providing protection for the personnel going on vacation, police sources said.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, a police constable was injured when unknown assailants hurled a hand grenade towards the police officer at about 6:15 pm at Pannaicholai Road in Eravur, sources said.

The injured policeman is being treated at Eravur Hospital. The identity of the injured officer is not known.

Vantharumoolai is located 17 km north of Batticaloa, and Eravur is located 12 km north of Batticaloa town.