Six killed in clashes

[TamilNet, Friday, 23 July 1999, 17:48 GMT]
Three Sri Lanka Army (SLA) soldiers were killed and another wounded when suspected members of the Liberation Tigers opened fire at them in the Madhu area around 9 a.m. this morning, said sources.

Following this incident, civilians waiting for the bus in the area were assaulted by other SLA troops.

The Madhu Additional Government Agent who was in Mannar this morning rushed to the area upon hearing about the incident. Sources at the GA's office in Mannar said that they have not received any details from him as yet.

Meanwhile the Bishop of Mannar has also sent his representatives to the area to assess the situation there, they said.

Meanwhile three soldiers were killed and 3 others wounded when the Liberation Tigers attacked the forward defence lines (FDLs) of the Sri Lankan security forces in Weli Oya around 10.30 p.m. last night, said sources.

The Sri Lanka Army sources said that the LTTE had used mortars and RPGs during the attack, which was repulsed.

Elsewhere, an SLA soldier on leave was killed along with his wife in an explosion in their house this morning around 3 a.m. at Medirigiriya in Polannaruwa district, the sources said.

It was not clear whether a grenade which was in the possession of the dead trooper was accidentally discharged or if someone had thrown one from outside, the sources added.

Medirigiriya Police are conducting inquiries into the incident.