Jaffna deaths denied

[TamilNet, Thursday, 15 April 1999, 13:32 GMT]
Sri Lanka Security Forces Head Quarters in Palaly denied today that anyone was killed in the claymore mine attack near Naakar Kovil in Vadamaradchi East in the Jaffna peninsula yesterday.

They confirmed, however, Lt. Col. Bandule Fernando and Maj. Rajapaksa and two other soldiers were wounded in the attack.

But, local residents say, three Sri Lanka Army personnel were killed on the spot, including a Lt. Colonel and a Major.

The vehicle in which the SLA personnel were travelling was destroyed in the blast, they said.