News in Brief:

[TamilNet, Sunday, 18 April 1999, 14:54 GMT]
Prayer protest at Madhu church and tension in eastern port town of Trincomalee as war anniversary approaches.

Prayer protest at Madhu Church

A large number of people participated in a prayer fast at the Madhu church today protesting at the presence of Sri Lankan Army soldiers in the sacred precincts of the church.

The prayers began at 6.30 a.m. and ended around 5.30 p.m.

TamilNet's Mannar correspondent said that a large number Catholics from Mannar parish participated in the prayers.

Meanwhile similar prayers were held at St.Marys church in Jaffna

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Tension in Trincomalee as war anniversary approaches

Security forces in the Trincomalee district have been put on red alert as Elam War-3 in Sri Lanka enters its fourth successive year at midnight on Sunday.

On Saturday night several explosions were heard from the sea off Trincomalee, said residents in the port town.

Security sources said that they were warning shots fired by naval gunboats on patrol.

Four years ago, on April 19, four Liberation Tigers entered the Trincomalee harbour and attacked two Sri Lankan Navy gunboats, the Sooraya and the Ranasuru.

Twelve naval personnel were killed and 21 injured in the attack.