2ND LEAD (Barrage continues at midnight)

Sri Lankan artillery barrage hits Ki'linochchi town

[TamilNet, Thursday, 02 October 2008, 14:37 GMT]
Sri Lanka Army has started firing artillery shells towards Ki'linochchi town Thursday evening around 7:00 p.m., causing panic among the remaining civilians in the town and its suburbs. At least four artillery shells crossed over the town as TamilNet correspondent was reporting that the building of the Ki'linochchi hospital was shaken due to the blasts, causing fear among the remaining patients and the staff. A 33-year-old civilian was rushed to Ki'linochchi hospital in the evening. One shell hit the ground near UNDP office and the other near Ki'linochchi Government Agent's hostel, according to latest reports.

Although many public and private services have shifted from the town, there were still civilians in the town, which has fundamental services operating. A heavy artillery barrage, including Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire was reported south of Ki'linochchi town between 155 Mile Post and Ira'naimadu Junction from 6:15 p.m. At least one civilian, Muththiah Rasa, 33, was rushed to Ki'linochchi hospital in the evening. Earlier in the day, another civilian, Balasingham Pavunan, 48, father of two, was wounded in SLA shelling at Kanakampikaikku'lam, located 2.5 km south of Ki'linochchi. He was also admitted at the Ki'linochchi hospital.