Two youths die following clash with SLA in Jaffna

[TamilNet, Saturday, 01 November 2008, 18:09 GMT]
A youth died by swallowing cyanide while another was killed in a clash with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) at a coastal marsh and shrub land in Mu'l'li in Ariyaalai, a suburb of Jaffna city, Saturday afternoon around 3:00 p.m., Sri Lankan Police said.

The body of the youth, shot and killed by SLA troops, could not be identified since it was badly mutilated as he was carrying arms and explosives, the police said.

The other youth, who killed himself, according to the police, was in possession of an identity card, which identified him as 25-year-old Sellaththurai Purusothaman, a resident of Kaithadi. However, no one has come forward to accept the body of the youth, the Police further said.

Jaffna Magistrate Vasanthasenan visited the site at Mu'l'li and ordered the Police to han over the bodies for post mortem examinations at Jaffna hospital.

There were many other youths, who had escaped from Mu'l'li area, soon after the clashes, the SLA had told the Police.

Meanwhile, an intense cordon and search by SLA troops began at 5:00 p.m. in areas including Jaffna University premises including Balasingham Hostel and then extended to include Kaladdi junction, Thiruneveali-Point Pedro junction, Parameasvaraa junction and Technical College Road.

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