KKS harbour activities stall following Sea Tiger attack

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 22 October 2008, 14:43 GMT]
Activities of Kaangkeasanthu'rai harbour came to a halt Wednesday following the early morning Sea Tiger attack on two Sri Lankan supply ships in Kaangkeasanthu'rai harbour, sources in Vadamaraadchi said. Sri Lanka Army (SLA) and Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) jointly searched villages east and west of Kaangkeasanthu'rai harbour, and fishing boats in the seas off the same coastline, sources added.

Meanwhile, shells launched from the seas off Vadamaraadchi during the clashes following the attack on ships, exploded near a civilian dwelling in Mallaakam seriously injuring a couple, according to the same sources.

Harbour workers were not permitted to go the harbour at the SLA entry check post at Thellippa'lai. Lorries that transport goods from the harbour also were not allowed access to the harbour.

Jaffna Secretariat temporarily suspended supply of commodities to retail shops following the attack, while a scarcity of essential food items in Jaffna peninsula was observed as traders began hoarding items, the sources added.

Supply of cement was temporarily suspended, Jaffna Secretariat officials said.

The husband and wife injured in the shell explosion are M. Uthayakumar, 42, and Ms. Vasanthanayagi Uthayakumar, 36, residents of Neeliyampanai in Mallakam, Valikaamam.

Both were admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Tension prevails in Jaffna peninsula.